Twenty three-year old University Student is poised to become Igembe South’s next MP in the 12th Parliament.
John Paul Mwirigi, a Bachelor’s of Education Student at Mt Kenya University was vying as an independent candidate.
He was born in January, 1994 at Akachiu village in Igembe South.
He garnered 18, 867 votes against his main challenger Jubilee’s Rufus Miriti who garnered 15,411 votes.
PNU’s Mzalendo Mwenda got 7, 695 votes while Maendeleo Chap Chap Kubai Mutuma got 6, 331 votes and DP’s Raphael Muriungi got 2, 278 votes.
His supporters pithed camp outside the tallying center defying an order to stay away.
They were soon allowed to get to Mwirigi whom they took to Maua town to celebrate.
Mwirigi said his relationship with common mwanachi has got him the seat.
“I am always with my people and they know the struggle [I have gone through] for the prosperity of our society and that’s why they chose me,” he told the Standard.
“My opponents spent a lot of money in their campaigns. Some even tried to bribe voters but the people of Igembe were wise to choose someone who has their interests at heart and that is me,” he added.
He was conducting his campaigns on foot and at times, would use a bicycle to move around.
What has stunned Kenyans is that he had no posters around. He told his voters to identify him through his gray sweater.
When he is not in school, he does menial jobs including boda boda riding to raise money for his expenses.
He will be Kenya’s youngest legislator in the 12th Parliament.