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Samuel Gitonga, 34, resigned from his well-paying job to try his luck in politics.
He was vying for an MCA post in Limuru during last year’s General Election. However, he lost badly. He has now been reduced to a fundi wa viatu.
Speaking to The Nairobian at his base, Gitonga says he used all his savings to fund his campaigns, a decision that still haunts him.
“Armed with my savings and my popularity in Limuru Town, I announced my candidature. I was received with mixed reactions, just like any other contestant. I later realised this was an expensive affair. My money ran out fast than I had expected,” he said.
With no money, Gitonga took advantage of social gatherings like funerals, weddings, talent shows and churches to sell his agenda.
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Owing to his poor financial status, he was edged out during nominations and he quickly decamped to another party which supported him by printing his posters.
“After losing in the Jubilee primaries, I jumped ship and got a Safina party ticket for the position. I did not have money to even hire a public address system or do a roadshow. I relied on banners and cyclists to spread my message,” Gitonga said, adding that,” Propagandists were all over Facebook and other social media platforms, spewing unprintables and accusing me of trying to split Jubilee votes. That worked against me.”
Being in a Jubilee stronghold, Gitonga was beaten pants down by the Jubilee candidate, but he had put a spirited fight and ended up as number three in the final tally.
“It was a horrible experience. I was sort of a laughing stock. Jobs were not coming my way and I had to survive for my wife and two kids,” Gitonga said.
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And so, he bought shoe shinning brushes, different shoe polishes, a cobbler’s needle and got down to business.
Gitonga has since reinvented himself with the humble job of a shoe cobbler cum shoe shiner, a job he does with pride.
He says he learnt a lesson and given a chance, he will try his luck in politics again since he wants to empower the youth.
“I make at between Sh500 and 700 daily and I have minimal expenditure. I am happy and my family is happy,” Gitonga quipped.
He says his life’s mantra is drawn from Napoleon Hill’s words; ‘Winners never quit and quitters never win’.
In Limuru town, he has become a darling and you will hear people saying; “Naenda kwa mhesimiwa kupata shine”.
