Nine things to know about Kajiado Central MP-elect Elijah Memusi
The little known ODM candidate in the Kajiado Central by-election surprised many when he was declared winner of the tightly contested poll.
Elijah Memusi of ODM garnered 16,008 votes to trounce JAP’s Patrick Tutui who came second with 15,508 votes. Here are nine things to know about the MP-elect.
1. On Monday, Memusi he celebrated his 38th birthday by winning the Kajiado Central parliamentary seat. He was born on 16 March 1977.
2. He is married with four children.
3. He replaces Interior Secretary Joseph Nkaiserry who resigned from the seat after he was offered a cabinet post by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
4. In November last year, he called on all Kenyan MPs to resign and allow volunteer legislators who should work without pay.
5. In the just concluded by-election, he initially vied for Jubilee’s ticket but decamped to ODM alleging electoral malpractices after emerging second.
His decision was largely informed by the fact that he had garnered more votes than eventual Jubilee candidate Patrick Tutui from the populous Matapato clan. The clan is the largest voting bloc in the constituency.
“I cannot accept defeat from someone who did not beat me in my home area,” Memusi said.
6. During the by-election, Memusi actually turned down advances for a job in government to give up his bid. “I’ve no price for compromising what I’m fighting for,” he said.
7. Although his background is in banking, Memusi specialises in construction; he is the managing director at Osiligi Osiligi Lang Ltd, which produces, provides, and delivers agricultural produce and services.
8. Through his Memusi Hope Foundation, he has paid school fees for more than 300 students.
9. In the 2013 general election, Memusi vied on the Kenya National Congress ticket. He came third, behind eventual winner Interior Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and Tutui who was second.