Yet again, history books in Kenya will be receiving another name of the youngest MP at just 23 years old, an age that will hold the record for quite along time now.
John Paul Mwirigi, an independent candidate won Igembe South parliamentary seat by 19 980 votes (38,96%) against Jubilee’s Rufus Miriti’s 16 615 votes (32,40%).
Here are 10 facts you should know about him.
- He was born on January 7 1994
- He then attended Riaki primary school and later went to Kirindine Day Secondary school
- He is currently pursuing a Bachelors of education Degree at Mount Kenya University specializing in History and Kiswahili, he is in third year.
- He earned barely 300 shillings a day from a nearby by construction firm, before he embarked on campaigns
- His competitor Miriti had been endorsed by bigwigs such as Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and Mithika Lentuti when they visited the sub county
- John was also a poor peasant who had been orphaned, he did not own even a piece of land
- He is the fourth born in a family of 8 kids
- He was perceived as a very small fish from even the journalists covering his bit
- John used to campaign on and via help of boda boda riders, he started politics way back while he was in form three
- Meru have got a habit of electing young MPs, this is not their first time yet, MPs, Immediate Buuri MP Kinoti Gatobu who unsuccessfully vied for Meru governor was 26 when he won, he was the youngest member of Kenya’s 11th Parliament.
Mwirigi will be the youngest MP in the 12th parliament and this hence Meru will retain the crown of electing young MPs.
