Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria does not shy from controversy and his past run-in with police speaks volumes.
On two occasions, Gikaria has paid bail for members of a gang in Nakuru called 'Confirm' who had been arrested for defrauding locals.
He made no apologies for facilitating their release, terming the suspects as "innocent jobless people trying to make a living from the ignorance of some Kenyans.”
“In fact, the activities of the confirm group have helped reduce muggings and violent crime by a bigger percentage because they do not waylay people on the streets or in the dark to rob them. They simply use their brains to make a living,” he added during an interview with The Standard.
He recently made headlines when a photo of him languishing in police cells went viral. he was arrested for causing public disturbance and assaulting a police commander
Responding to his many run in with the authorities, “I was brought up in Landi Panya where mice were bigger than cats. I was a never a child of privileges and when I see the police oppressing the poor and protecting the rich, I get angry.
The MP has been arrested and charged over 20 times for theft, forgery, malicious damage to property, incitement and violence.
“Yes, I have been arrested and charged with more than 20 different cases in court but I have never been convicted.
Most of the cases have been terminated and only four cases linked to the campaign against illegal liquor still stand in court,” he disclosed.
Gikaria added that it is hard work and determination to fight for the rights of the down-trodden that has seen him rise from a tough and unforgiving slum life to the position of chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on energy.
