Jomvu MP Badi Twalib [C] at Bangladesh slums in
Jomvu on Saturday /BRIAN OTIENO
Bangladesh resident Mary Awino, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib and Mohamed Osman at Bangladesh slums in Jomvu on Sartuday /BRIAN OTIENO
Jomvu MP Badi Twalib pitched tent, literally, at
Bangladesh slums in Mikindani ward on Saturday evening, spending the night in the
open, to show solidarity with residents.
The two jungle green canvas tents, complete with a
low camping bed, three camping chairs and a table were set up at the
heart of Bangladesh football ground at 8 pm.
Two lantern lights and two sets of sheets were
provided for the MP, who had residents volunteer to offer security for the
night.
Dressed in a white Harambee Stars jersey, black
joggers and white open shoes, Twalib walked through the slums, greeting the
amused residents before giving a speech highlighting why he was camping at
their neighbourhood.
Twalib said this was his way of showing love to
and thanking residents for their continuous support over the years.
“This is my way of celebrating our achievements
together because without them, there is no Badi Twalib,” he said on Saturday
evening at the Bangladesh ground.
He was celebrating his Superchoice Brands Award
after he emerged position two nationally behind Embakasi East MP Babu Owino as best performing MP.
Twalib was also recognised as the best performing MP
at the Coast at the Thursday evening awards ceremony in Nairobi.
Two months ago, the legislator was ranked first in the Coast and 10th nationally, by Mizani Africa Awards.
As part of the three-day celebration blitz, Twalib
on Saturday morning officially opened Kibarani Primary School, which has 390 learners, mostly from Kibarani slums.
He then opened two cabro roads in Kibarani
slums, before opening a chief’s office in Kwa Punda and three cabro
roads in the area.
Yesterday, Twalib was expected to tour development
projects in Ganahola, Alidina and Kwa Ng’ombe all in Kwa Jomvu ward before
pitching tent again at Badi Twalib Primary School for the night.
Today, he will tour several projects in
Miritini ward before spending the night at Maganda Primary School.
An insider said Twalib’s extraordinary stance was
inspired by former Libyan military officer and Prime Minister Muammar Gaddafi
and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, who pitched camp at their supporters’ areas soon after ascending to power.
“That is why he was in a Museveni-esque hat when
he was receiving the award in Nairobi on Thursday night,” the insider said.
On Friday, Twalib said leaders should be
closer to the people and utilise the NG-CDF to benefit their constituents.
He said the NG-CDF is a game changer that should
stay because it has turned around the lives of the people at the grassroots,
who are at the bottom of the pyramid.
“These are the people who can tell you inspiring stories
about the NG-CDF and how it has changed their lives. That is why when given an
opportunity to serve the people, serve them diligently,” he said.
He said through the NG-CDF, Jomvu residents can now
enjoy government services that they used to trek up to Changamwe and Kwale
county to get.
“In Kibarani, there was no single school. Kibarani
people in Jomvu had to go to Mvita and Changamwe constituencies,” Twalib said.
“Today, the NG-CDF has ensured there is a school,
a chief’s office and other amenities in the slum area.”
He said school children no longer have to risk
their lives crossing the Mombasa-Nairobi highway while going to school in Mwamdudu, Kwale
county. We have several schools in Jomvu
constituency,” the MP said.
Bangladesh resident Mary Awino said it is rare
to see an MP choose to spend the night in the slums, in a tent, away from the comfort
of his mansion, to celebrate victory together with his people.
“It is a gesture that touches people’s heart,
especially those in slums like us, who always feel we are abandoned as soon as
the elections are over,” she said.
Resident Fred Omondi said a good leader
celebrates his victories with his people.
He said the unique gesture by the MP is what
brings him closer to the people.
“I am sure the way he has remembered the people of Bangladesh is the way the people will remember him in future,” Omondi said.
