Leaders that care change living standards of their electorate by ensuring the basic infrastructure is accessible. But in this country, very few leaders seem to be concerned with the quality of life of their voters are living.
However, a few of them like Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru popularly known as Majja Donk have done commendable work to ensure his electorate’s life changes. Since he joined Parliament in 2017, there has been tremendous improvement in Embakasi Central constituency. The once dilapidated roads with potholes all over have been tarmacked, something that had not been done for decades by the former MP.
Initially, Kayole, which is part of the constituency, had been associated with thugs and organised gangs that robbed residents to earn a living. But the MP has with the help of the regional administration managed to recruit youth and women to form groups that clean the markets, roads and clearing drainage systems. This has kept the youth busy and also ensured that they earn a stipend. This has reduced the crime rate in the area.
Gathiru has also ensured safety of all school going children by erecting perimeter walls in all primary and secondary schools within his constituency. The wall has also reduced incidences of people who have been encroaching in schools’ land and end up being grabbed.
He is also doing well in regards to healthcare by ensuring clinics are well stocked with drugs and staffed. Within the health facilities, the MP has ensured security lights are erected just like he has recently finished installing security lights on all roads. The constituency’s economy is thriving because erection of security lights on roads and major markets has enabled people to trade around the clock without fear.
Unlike some politicians, he does not think that the public is too dumb to digest difficult concepts. He treats the electorate as the intelligent citizenry that it is. He is a breath of fresh air in Nairobi. With Benjamin, what you see is what you get.
Oscar O. Nelson, Kayole-Nairobi
