Oscar Sudi, the Member of Parliament for Kapseret in Uasin Gishu county is a reflection of a rag to riches story. He is an inspiration to his constituents as he was once a makanga and a charcoal seller but he now rolls in money and power.
It is reported that he lives in a Sh100 million home in Kapseret which was opened by Deputy President William Ruto.
In an interview with The Standard, Sudi attributed his good fortunes to hard work and perseverance.
"We were squatters in the Moi University area and all we had was a grass-thatched house," the vocal MP told the local daily adding that he used to help his father in selling charcoal.
According to Sudi, he made savings from the sell of charcoal which he used to buy a bicycle that helped him ferry charcoal to clients.
"I made friends with matatu operators, began touting and I was later introduced to Barnabas Sawe who own a fleet of vehicles," he said.
In 2000, Sudi, now a two-time legislator managed to buy a matatu which he operated together with Sawe's fleet. He later secured a loan which he used to buy pool tables, a business that fetched him some good cash which helped in expanding his matatu business.
Later a now business tycoon, David Lagat popularly known as DL reportedly noticed Sudi’s hard work and they joined forces where they began doing business deals in Eldoret.
"It was through Lagat that I met powerful people, among them Deputy President William Ruto, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, among others and that is how I developed the interest in politics," said Sudi who is now a close ally of the DP.