He is aggresive, practical and equally controversial. His wide face cuts the image of a no-nonsense guy. One who is ready to tackle things bare knuckle.
Meet the Nakuru Town East Member of Parliament David Gikaria. In Nakuru, he is popularly known as TM (Team Manager).
Born 53 years ago, the former Nakuru Mayor and Flamingo ward Councillor, won the seat on a TNA ticket in the 2013 elections.
Four years down the line, Gikaria is still the man to beat if anyone has the guts to venture into Nakuru town politics. He has spearheaded the opening of various Ward Offices in what he said is supporting devolution.
In addition, the county has seen the construction of SME kiosks at Top Market, opposite Mololine stage and 9 stalls at section 58 under his watch amongst others.
These, Gikaria says, are projects that have formed part of his achievement diary. Morever, the Nakuru's "baba yao" has been known by many as one pragmatic person due to his practical manner of solving issues and controversial remarks, recently he said he will be giving all Nakuru pregnant women one thousand each!
His chemistry with women and youths is absolute. During events in the county, you will meet Mr Gikaria accompanied by a couple of jobless youths and when he find his way to the podium, he usually asks youth be given jobs.
But just like a couple of other Kenyan politicians, his grip of Nakuru politics has not come without a burden. The soft spoken and swift politician's name has been dragged into several scandals. He had been accused of vandalizing street lights as well as being named in land scandals.
This made Gikaria a frequent visitor to the corridors of justice to clear his name.
When President Kenyatta announced the war against illicit brew, Gikaria led the war in Nakuru town and was later charged with dumping liquor bottles and boxes at the KFA and Mburu Gichua roundabouts in Nakuru Town by a Nakuru court on July 29, 2015.
In addition, he had been at logger heads with the county administration for months early February due to differences with Governor Kinuthia Mbugua on the process of relocating hawkers from the CBD.
TM opposed the relocation and this led to his involvement in a scuffle with the police whereby a section of hawkers countered the demolition of their informal structures by county officers and several of the county officers were injured.
Consequently, during Madaraka Day celebrations, Gikaria decided to keep off from the dais that is usually left aside for dignitaries at the Afraha Stadium and instead chose to sit at a terrace far away with the locals.
In parliament, he is a member of the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security since 2013.
As 2017 closes in, he is yet to make known his 2017 political interests, but word is already running ahead of him that he will take a stab at the gubernatorial race.
The former Menengai High School (Nakuru) student, says: "I believe in brave leadership and service to my people of Nakuru East Constituency."
And true to his words, David Gikaria Wanjiku is a fearless leader. He is one person to watch as Nakuru politics take shape.
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