Meet Timothy Mutwiri, Kenya's Youngest Politician At 21 Years

Timothy Mutwiri, MCA-elect Kiegoi/Antubochiu ward in Igembe South constituency, Meru County.
Timothy Mutwiri, MCA-elect Kiegoi/Antubochiu ward in Igembe South constituency, Meru County.
Daily Nation

Timothy Mutwiri is currently Kenya's youngest politician at the age of 21 after being elected Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Kiegoi/Antubochiu ward in Igembe South, Meru County.

In the just-concluded 2022 General Election, the young politician garnered 2,901 votes to beat 20 renowned politicians who were contesting for the same seat.

Despite financial constraints, Mutwiri managed to subdue Ithibua Kimathi - the outgoing MCA and former MCA Henry Mworia.

Mworia once served as chairman of the defunct Nyambene County Council.

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Members of Parliament during a session in the 12th Parliament.
KBC

The Form four leaver's venture into politics was unstoppable despite his village mates discouraging him from contesting. They claimed he lacked the finances to fund his campaigns.

So determined he was that he started campaigning while in Class 8 at the age of 16.

Blessings from parents mean a great deal when one starts a new phase in life, but the young Mutwiri bypassed the coronation claiming that his mother would have discouraged him.

“I started attending public functions, where I would solicit votes. My parents were shocked to see me sharing platforms with other politicians,” he recounted.

Before his triumph, he did menial jobs including working as a construction labourer in Meru County

His campaigns gained momentum when he took advantage of public meetings in his ward to woo voters. 

“I started attending public functions, where I would solicit votes. My parents were shocked to see me sharing platforms with other politicians,” Mutwiri added.

The 28-year-old re-elected Igembe South Member of Parliament Paul Mwirigi, also comes from Meru County. 

Mwirigi was first elected into Parliament in 2017 as the youngest-ever MP at the age of 23. 

The vote-rich county also produced Boniface Kinoti Gatobu, the youngest MP in 2013. Gatobu represented the Buuri constituency for one term only. 

Igembe South MP Takes his Prado for a spin after President Uhuru Kenyatta gifted it to him in 2017.
Igembe South MP Takes his Prado for a spin after President Uhuru Kenyatta gifted it to him in 2017.
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