With all the glamour of being a politician, many people do not know that Murang’a Senator Irungu Kangata has very humble beginnings.
His father was a mechanic and he could not make enough to ensure that Kangata and his siblings enjoyed the best life had to offer.
Kangata who is a lawyer by profession had to, at one time in his life; convert from a law student to a disc jockey (DJ) in Murang’a to support himself.
He had been suspended from the University of Nairobi where he schooled with IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba for opposing the parallel degree programme now being offered across all public universities in the country.
Left with no choice, he returned to his home county where he made a name for himself as a DJ, something he says Murang’a people know him for.
“While in university I was suspended after opposing the parallel degree programme. I became a DJ just to keep me going while out of school. I used to be called DJ Nyutu in Murang’a for two years,” recalled Kangata as quoted by Radio Jambo.
He resumed his law studies after retired President Mwai Kibaki took over power in 2002.
“After Kibaki came to power, he ordered that all students who were suspended from the institution be taken back. That is how I went back to University of Nairobi and finished my degree in Law.”
He has a reputation for his simple lifestyle compared to that of other politicians. He cruises in a Toyota Fielder and also has a motorbike that he uses at times.
To him, says Kangata, he sees no point in living “like a king” while the people of Murang’a wallow in poverty.
The Murang’a senator wedded two weeks ago in a ceremony that was attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He walked down the aisle with his wife Mary Wambui with whom, he has three children with; Rita, Euna and Etan.