SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri has announced his decision to join Nairobi politics by running for the Kasarani parliamentary seat in the August 9 General Election.
Karauri made the announcement on Wednesday, February 9, while addressing his supporters in the Kasarani constituency after donating equipment at the Njiru Level 4 Hospital and Kasarani Health Centre.
He explained that constituents had been urging him to join politics and that he had heeded their call and was ready to battle it out with other politicians seeking the seat.
Karauri noted that the populous constituency needed change and he was ready to be the person who would spearhead development in the area.
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However, the SportPesa boss did not reveal which political party he will use to seek the seat currently occupied by Mercy Gakuya.
The businessman, a former Kenya Airways pilot and renowned union leader reiterated his commitment to champion women rights.
"I believe women should even get longer maternity leave than what they currently...our women's health is very important" he affirmed.
Having previously held the helm at Kenya Airline Pilots Association, the CEO assured the residents that he was not only was best at management, leadership and advocating for the freedom and rights of the youth too but also very good at development and policy formulation.
In an interview in 2020, Karauri had hinted at joining active politics like his father, former Tigania Member of Parliament Mathew Adams Karauri.
"I have political blood in me but the time is not right. The change can only come with us participating and not always complaining. If things go well in the future I will join politics," the SportPesa CEO stated
He was born in Meru and moved to Nairobi due to his father's political ambitions and eventually joined Harambee Primary School in Buruburu.
Karauri would later join Mang'u High School where he scored top grades in KCSE. Later the businessman and retired pilot enrolled at the University of Nairobi, pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
During this time, an opportunity presented itself for Karauri to join Kenya Airways and he grasped it, training to become a professional pilot.
After working at KQ for 11 years, he took over the management of Sportpesa as CEO. Karauri credits his father for his success in business and career.
