David Mwaure Waihiga likens himself to one of the most popular Biblical characters –David.
David was a shepherd boy, lacking the experience to win a battle, but who was able to slay the giant-sized and seasoned warrior Goliath with a sling.
Mwaure is one of the four Presidential candidates in the August 9, 2022, general elections. He is running on a platform of change and new leadership in Kenya and even with opinion polls placing him behind his rivals, he believes a majority of Kenyans will rally behind his bid on the day of the elections.
In his quest to become the country’s next head of state, Mwaure is persuaded that after everything is said and done, he too, just like David in the Bible, can beat the Goliath of corruption which he believes is the genesis of all tribulations confronting his motherland, Kenya.
“As Kenyans, we have waited in faith for almost 60 years – for the liberation of our nation from the snares of corruption. I stand with the same faith (David), the same resources, and the same commitment. We want to build a cohesive, united, and prosperous nation where all are proud to call it home” he says.
Although he cuts a soft demeanour, the Agano Party flag bearer is a force to reckon with in different ways; as a lawyer, cleric, and politician.
He is passionate about servant leadership and he describes himself as an advocate for social justice, a defender of the poor, an anti-graft crusader, and a philanthropist.
The ambitious, spirited attorney with a legal career spanning 35 years is vouching for himself as the sure bet, unapologetically, tearing into the track record of his opponents and previous leaders Kenya has had since independence.
“I am new in many ways, I am clean, never been a part of past failures, and never been recycled. I am offering shepherd leadership instead of thieving leadership”, he said when asked about what sets him apart.
“We in Agano are saying it is time for a change, we are saying it is time for Kenya to have new leadership, we are also saying Kenya will not go anywhere if we elect the same leaders who have been there it is time to bring to the end the curse and practice of corruption and scandals. We know we represent Kenya and we are saying with new leadership we want to change that,” he adds.
Unknown to many, this is not the first time the father of three, in his 50s, is venturing into politics.
The August 9, 2022 elections will be his sixth attempt at politics and a second stab at the country’s Presidency. He has unsuccessfully vied different elective seats at the constituency and county levels.
Born and bred in Molo in Nakuru County, the founder of the Agano Party, dipped himself into the murky political waters in 2002, at the height of national clamour for change, and the push to force then President Daniel Arap Moi and his party KANU out of power.
As a greenhorn, he was determined to fight for the Molo parliamentary seat only to drop out of the race due to logistical challenges.
Ever since this baptism by fire, Mwaure has never looked back, and neither has he given up. To him, every election presents him with a golden opportunity to lead.
Political career
In 2007 he unsuccessfully contested the Kamukunji parliamentary seat in Nairobi County, then in a by-election that followed in 2011. In 2013, he announced his plans to seek the country’s topmost political seat – the Presidency, but later proclaimed he had shelved his bid.
He then moved to Lamu County for a business venture and in the process, the residents urged him to consider expanding his legal representation to county-level politics, a move that saw him vie for Lamu Governor’s seat where he finished third after the poll.
In 2022, he announced his intentions to run for the Presidency yet again, and his party Agano, which means Covenant, endorsed him as its flag bearer.
In a race that had attracted more than 50 aspirants, he joined the only other three candidates in June, who got the green light from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to contest the country’s top seat. He will face off with political heavyweights Deputy President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga and the newcomer George Wajackoyah of the Roots Party.
Manifesto
His manifesto outlines numerous proposals for eliminating corruption, wastage, and mismanagement of public resources.
The 12 points he calls Covenants are; Agano to the constitution, the Family, Women, Youth, Persons Living with Disability, County Governments, Workers, Business Owners, the Economy, Religious Institutions, the Environment, as well as Agano to the International Community
He says, if elected, his government will seek to recover all stolen wealth stashed abroad and locally, address the economic crisis facing the country and be a voice for the voiceless.
“We have resigned ourselves to disappointment when we have heard that our leaders have trillions stashed away in foreign bank accounts. We believe that money that is stolen and stashed abroad will be enough to stir up the economy and create employment opportunities for our young people” he says.
He further pledges to waive 50pc of Pay As You Earn and waive all tax penalties accruing to the date he takes an oath of office.
“This will enable Kenyans to have money, be able to meet their expenses and feed themselves,” he stated.
If enforced, he says all Kenyans who earn above the Ksh32,332 per month cap will save up to Ksh4,850 monthly.
Together with his youthful female running mate Ruth Mutua, Mwaure is also committing to increase revenue allocation to counties to 40 percent, and designate 10 percent of the same to go directly to village councils.
One of the most unprecedented measures he intends to undertake if elected is to dissolve Nairobi County after the election making the governor an appointee of the President.
Two-horse race
Mwaure affirms he has all it takes to take the country to the next level.
He traces his leadership skills back to his days in Sunday School as an 8-year-old and later on when he was elevated to the revered position of a school captain at Nanyuki high school.
The ordained gospel minister was also the chairperson of the Christian Union group in high school. After completing secondary education, he joined the University of Nairobi to pursue a Law degree in 1981.
He holds a Masters’s in Leadership from the International Leadership University and is currently pursuing a PhD in the same field.
Mwaura is vehemently dismissive of the narrative that the contest for the Presidency is a two-horse race and instead talks highly of his candidature which he describes as a new broom ready to sweep Kenya clean by only having ‘clean people’ entrusted with public resources.
Drawing inspiration from a famous quote by Oscar Award-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o; that every dream is valid, he vows to keep hope alive until the last vote of the highly competitive presidential contest is counted.
“AGANO has made our case to the Kenyan people through this manifesto and we are clear that we have what it takes to achieve this,” he asserts.
