Gay activist to vie for Senate seat

By Nunn Assa

As the political landscape takes shape ahead of the forthcoming elections, Kiambu County is in the spotlight following the declaration of interest by an openly gay politician, who is running for the coveted senate seat.

Politician David Kuria Mbote has declared his interest for the senator’s seat in Kiambu County.

Kuria has an uphill task of persuading the “conservative” Kiambu community that he is the best man for the job.

Laws to fight HIV

Despite the discriminative nature and stigmatisation by the society, which considers him an outcast, what marvels both his friends and foes is his determination, boldness and the willingness to achieve what he terms as his destiny.

The gay rights activist is running to be his county’s first senator.

During an exclusive interview with The County Weekly, Mbote was confident he will win the seat, and says he aims to change the political game by campaigning through the social media and committing himself to good governance in order to effect positive social change.

“If elected, my main priority will be creating laws to fight HIV. I know it is an uphill task campaigning to convince the society that despite my sexuality, I would put their interest first unlike many politicians.”

“I have received mixed responses from the voters as to whether they would vote for a gay politician,” he said.

Mbote claims he  realised his leadership skills at the age of six when he first organised a group of boys to join the church as altar boys and not depend on the main parish to provide the services any time mass was held.

“Against the wishes of the church council, I managed to organise a group of boys and for the first time, our small parish had representation,” remembers Mbote.