By Jacob Ngétich
From a volunteer teacher to a legislator is a journey Boniface Kinoti, 26, has traveled in a short time.
Three years after he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi, the corporate world opened up for Kinoti but his heart was focused elsewhere—back in the village.
“After college, there were a number of jobs on offer but my interest was far different. I wanted to go back and work with the people,” said Kinoti, MP for Buuri, Meru County.
He went on: “I started teaching in primary schools, and sometimes donated books.”
He said he would wake up early to teach at Kibirichia Primary School, before moving to Mburunguti, and end the day at any other nearby school.
And when the election neared, Kinoti offered himself for office. According to him, he needed a platform to serve his people more.
The Buuri MP ran for the seat as an independent candidate and surprised many when he trounced political veterans to clinch the seat.
The youthful MP beat nine candidates with strong political parties.
“I decided to run as an independent because I wanted people to elect me as who I was not by the popularity of the party,” he said.
Kinoti said he did not have any money for campaigns but friends and constituents supported him.
“My father, other family member friends and well wishers contributed money for me,” said Kinoti.
Apart from teaching, Kinoti also wrote for Marketing Africa, and later Institute of Management and Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ magazines on issues of stock exchange.
Kinoti says it is possible to touch and change lives of people if there is commitment and he was going to do just that.
