Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has put to rest rumours about his vying for a parliamentary seat having stated he is running to replace Starehe MP Maina Kamanda.
On January 19, 2017, he said the date marked two years since reclaiming a public playground from ‘a known land thief’.
He said: “The children of Lang’ata Primary School continue to use their playground as a result of #OccupyPlayGround, a clear example that a people united can never be defeated. Those in power continue to ignore what citizens go through every day. I want to take the people’s voice to parliament where they have been ignored for far too long. I have always challenged our leaders for their bad decisions and poor governance. I have done this as an active citizen and a patriot. It is time to take the fight to parliament, where we, the people, need our voice heard.”
Mwangi says he is vying for the Starehe Constituency seat because he wants to take the fight from the streets into parliament, where decisions are made.
“I grew up in Starehe and lived there for almost half of my adulthood. All my life I have worked in the Nairobi’s Central Business District, both formally and informally.”
The activist who is vying against the wealthy MP who has been in parliament and in government for decades says that Kenyans need jobs, water, sanitation, security, food, good education and health care.
He decries the wastage of public resources saying Kenyans can no longer afford to give outrageous salaries and benefits to public officials.
“It does not make sense for 45 million Kenyans to spend more than ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT BILLION SHILLINGS (108,000,000,000) per year on salaries and allowances for 2222 MCAs, 349 MPs and 67 Senators. Kenyans are “over-represented” and there is almost nothing to show for all the “representation”.”
Mwangi is proposing trimmed ‘privileges’ for parliamentarians to ensure the delivery of basic constitutional rights to the people.
“A reduction of these privileges can be actualized if we all demand that those vying in 2017 be willing to take a 50% pay-cut, have no bodyguards and receive no free car grant. Scrap the private medical cover all politicians get. How else would they improve the health sector if they never interact with it? They should be registered for NHIF and should receive medical care in the country at public facilities.”
All Kenyan lives matter.
He says public servants should not be an exemption but an example and taking a pay cut is an example of how they can ensure more money is available for education for teachers, health and doctors and the police who guarantee our security.
“The media should push to make the MPs’, MCAs’, and Senators’ 50% pay-cut part of the agenda during this campaign period. H.E Uhuru Kenyatta and Hon. Raila Odinga should also make the pay-cut agenda part of their manifestos.”
Mwangi adds that we need to tackle wastage and theft in both county and national governments.
“Our government is bloated and l shall push and support the reduction of the number of MPs and MCAs. We will fight against corruption. We will fight land grabbers and reclaim stolen public land. We need to ensure that resources go towards uplifting the lives of all the people of Kenya.”
The aspirant says he will start meeting people in February as it is their thoughts and hopes that will inform his agenda and give direction on how to work.
“Only after I have completed this listening tour will I officially launch my campaign. I urge all Kenyans to register to vote in large numbers. “BAD LEADERS ARE ELECTED BY GOOD CITIZENS WHO DO NOT VOTE”. Refusing to vote is NOT COOL.”
He concludes: Tumechoka! LazimaTusikizwe! RohoJuu!