By Prudence Minayo
Amos Muhinga Kimunya is a Kenyan politician currently serving as Member of Parliament for Kipipiri constituency. He is also the majority leader in the National Assembly having replaced Aden Duale after falling out with President Uhuru Kenyatta. Apart from being an MP, he has also served in various positions in the cabinet. He has worked as Minister of Trade, Minister of Finance and Minister of Lands and Settlement.
His political journey has not been smooth all through as he was once forced to resign from the cabinet following the controversial sale of the Regency Hotel. On Thursday 15th June 2021, he was heckled by a rowdy crowd during the Kiambaa by-election who were questioning his presence at the Kimuga polling station. The voters claimed he was neither a voter nor an agent, hence, he had no business at the polling station. Kimunya said he was an agent of the Jubilee party and police had to step in and control the angry crowd.
Age
Amos Kimunya was born on 6th March 1962.
Background and Education
The politician was born in Kiambu before the family moved to Nyandarua. He was born to the late Mzee Samuel Kimunya Gikang’a and Maria Muthoni Kimunya. His father passed away in July 2011 at the age of 86 at Nairobi Hospital. He is survived by his wife and 7 children.
He went to Kabati Primary School and later Njabini Boys High School for his O-levels before proceeding to the University of Nairobi. At the university, he pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting option). He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Public Secretary.
In 2014, he received a Global Executive Masters of Business Administration (GEMBA) from the United States International University.
In 2019, he graduated with a PHD in Business Administration from the United States International University.
Career
From 1986 to 1993, he worked for a private firm named Care Stanyer Gitau and Company as a CPA and quickly rose to senior manager.
Later, he founded Finmans consultancy in Nairobi and in 1997 the company merged with Matrix to form Matrix Development Consultants. He was a director and consultant for the company from 1998 until 2003.
Following the historic win of the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) in 2002, he was appointed Minister of Lands and Settlement by former president Mwai Kibaki. This is after he had been elected Member of Parliament for Kipipiri constituency.
The Anglo Leasing scandal affected a lot of ministers and high profile individuals. The then Minister of Finance David Mwiraria was also implicated in the scandal and was forced to resign. Kimunya was then appointed the new Finance Minister on 14th February 2006.
Following the 2007 general elections, the country was plunged into chaos with both Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinfa claiming victory in the presidential elections. This led to a power sharing agreement and Kimunya maintained his seat in the cabinet as Finance Minister.
In mid 2008, he was involved in a scandal following the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel to a Libyan company. On 2nd July 2008, he lost a parliamentary vote of no confidence and was forced to resign six days later to pave the way for investigations. Reports stated the hotel had been sold for far less than its actual value.
On 25th November 2008, he was cleared of any wrongdoing and on 23rd January 2009, he was re-appointed to the cabinet as the Minister of Trade.
Family
Kimunya is married and has children.
National Assembly Majority Leader Amos kimunya confronted by residents at Kimuga polling station, they claim he is not a voter nor an agent #KiambaaDecides ^HM pic.twitter.com/5DrGkDbnxA
— KBC Channel1 News (@KBCChannel1) July 15, 2021
