The other side of Muthiora Kariara you did not know - including his dark side

The running mate of Independent presidential candidate Japheth Kavinga and a former comrade who served in one of the most influential varsity governing council SONU has developed a hard skin on the two horse race theory circulating around.

Muthiora Kariara is apparently not a small fish. For a first timer in Kenyan politics who dropped from the presidential race to become a running mate, most Kenyans questioned why he chose the top notch hot seat?

His vision was and is for Kenya. He believes that to treat the state as an MCA is not suitable.

‘’If my dream was to change my neighbourhood alone I would have gone small, but I feel the country needs to be fully transformed and that is why I chose the presidency,’’ explained Kavinga’s running mate.

It is evident that his gallant guts were curved from the spirit of ‘Comrades Power ‘during his tenure as a SONU leader in charge of the sports docket.

On an interview with KTN at his Kawangware home where he has become the village hero, he seemed self-assured that Kenyans will vote for him come August eighth.

“Nine out of ten Kenyans I met after the running mates debate have changed their opinion about me. I’m certain they will vote Japeth Kavinga in.’’ said Kariara.

The articulate Kariara was adored by millions of Kenyans who fell in love with his eloquence, most of them appreciating the fact that he did not waste precious time that men equate to a soccer match. He broke the odds when he was the only candidate on stage.

The daring 35-year-old Kariara who is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Nairobi has a calculated formula to make Kenya great again. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in the same varsity.

As he prepares his fists ready to punch the big horses on the coming General Election, the former banker is a smart chap who is accustomed to winning. He is an A material from Kanga High School where he scored an A minus back then. According to his brother Leakey Kariara he is a diligent man who knows how to play his cards well.

"When he was in school he would set an objective of acquiring a set grade and would achieve it, I believe in him.”

Many feel that Kariara became a superstar overnight, which is arguably true as most Kenyans did not really know him. It was the lucky night of the presidential running mates debate that fate presented an opportunity for him to articulate his vision before the state. Celebrity status is however not new to the former soccer player who admits to being in the sight of millions of cheerers in local stadiums as he served as a goalkeeper for 21years.

‘’I started playing soccer at the age of 16. I was used to big crowds cheering me. Fame is not really new to me.” A composed Kariara explained.

He is a cosmopolitan man who has his dark side of life, having his roots from the Mt Kenya region, born and bred in Kuria, schooled partly in Kericho, attended High school in Kapsabet and Migori Counties, before admission to the University of Nairobi. He is a victim of the post-election violence who was forced to man up and take care of the family.

“’In 2008 my family house was torched and we had to relocate from Kuria, since that is the only livelihood my deceased dad had left behind for the family.” Said Kariara.

With no single poster to popularise his candidature or that of his president, the young brain in the big seat chose to do his campaigns online. The young blood in Kenyan politics is ready to face the bull by the horns. He hopes that his time with Kenyans will trust in him come the General Election.

“I am sure that with the platform I got, Kenyans will trust and believe in change. That will transform their lives.” Said Kariara.