McCauley Wycliff
Member
Former Laikipia senate aspirant Gathuo Gichuru has turned to hawking after spending all his savings on politics. A campaign poster of Gathuo Gichuru.
Despite coming from a polygamous family, his 24 siblings and rich relatives have not come to his rescue from the streets. His father is a former prominent education officer during the KANU regime.
"Sisi Raia Tutadungwa Wakati Wetu Ukifika" Gathuo vied for the Laikipia Senate seat in 2013 and 2017 consecutively but lost despite spending millions on the campaigns.
In an Interview the former politician revealed that his family betrayed him, a move that led him to suffer depression. “I am battling depression as my first wife left me in 2013 after I lost the race while the second left immediately in 2017. I banked on my siblings who also betrayed me. I was left with nothing and thus I decided to be a hawker to earn a living, “ he said while battling tears.
Narrating his struggles, Gathuo claimed he was advised by the doctor to engage in self-employment instead of being idle, which has helped him heal. He has a degree in Economics from Kenyatta University, CPAs up to level four and a diploma in computer engineering, but no job is coming his way.
Gichuru lamented that his friends in politics left him, including Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura and Nyeri Speaker John Kaguchia whom they served together as student leaders at Kenyatta University. He claimed he was the one who introduced Nyoro and Kaguchia into university politics.
“No one has come to my rescue except former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga who once gave me Ksh 20,000 after he found me stranded and very broke,“ he said.
Gichuru worked with Barclays Bank and CFC Stanbic Bank before venturing into politics while also doing Matatu business where returns were outstanding. Later, he sold much of his properties in Nairobi and Kinamba, Laikipia county, to support his campaigns.
“I was doing good in 2011 after I ventured into businesses and I made millions, everyone in my area knew that I was rich. I found myself in active politics in 2013. My campaign was well organised and I traversed the whole of Laikipia but I wasn’t lucky,” he stated.
Gathuo is now calling on his friends, among them Laikipia governor Nderitu Mureithi to come to his rescue and offer him available jobs.
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