By Prudence Minayo
Moses Kuria (born in 1971) is the current Gatundu South Constituency MP and the Chama Cha Kazi party leader. He is known for being outspoken and fiercely independent on his views that leaves friends and foes at times confused about his political stand. This writer takes a look at the political journey of the vocal legislator.
Education
The Member of Parliament went to Githuya Primary School in Gatundu. After primary school, he proceeded to Ituru Secondary School.
He then joined the University of Nairobi and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. While at the university, he joined the student leadership body, SONU. He acted as the treasurer of SONU.
Career
In 1994, he worked as an auditor at Family Finance and Building Society.
In 1995, he became the head of business process re-engineering at All Rajhi bank in Saudi Arabia.
In 2007, he was chief operating officer at Wamad Information Service in Dubai. The same year, he joined the political arena by working for President Mwai Kibaki. He worked for the Party of National Unity (PNU) as the party’s spokesman and director of programs.
In 2013, he became the Member of parliament for Gatundu South Constituency. He was elected to the position after it fell vacant after Jossy Ngugi, who was elected through the TNA party and had just passed away. His only opponent, Joachim Kamere of the New Democratic Party, withdrew from the race.
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He also became the officer in charge of strategy for the National Alliance party (TNA).
In 2017, he was re-elected Member of Parliament for Gatundu South under the Jubilee party.
Moses Kuria later became allied to the hustlers movement headed by the deputy president William Ruto. He was also at the forefront in criticizing the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), fronted by President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He also became the head of a party named People’s Empowerment Party (PEP).
Moses Kuria was in the lead of promoting Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid among people in the Mt. Kenya region. He spread the bottom up economic gospel championed by the deputy president. He has also previously accused the head of state for favoring other regions in development and neglecting his own backyard.
The MP went on to form another party, Chama Cha Kazi, after reportedly being kicked out at PEP. He has at times differed with the deputy president and allies sparking speculations that he is working with President’s side.
Family
Moses Kuria met his wife, Joyce, Njambi in Saudi Arabia. They are blessed with two sons.
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Controversy
A report by BBC, said Kuria had admitted to receiving $1,000 in parliament in order to back the appointment of majority leader. He said such an inducement was not unusual. He made the remarks following allegations that he and two others were censured for alleged payouts to back the BBI.
The two-time MP has also severally been criticized for hate speech. He was also arrested for flouting Covid-19 regulation by not maintaining curfew rules. He spent a night at the police station following the arrest.
Illness
The Gatundu South MP was admitted at the Karen Hospital where he has undergone multiple surgeries. The frail looking MP has received high level visitors including the DP, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka among others.
As other leaders wished Kuria a quick recovery, Laikipia Woman Representative, Catherine Waruguru did not have kind words for legislator stating that he deserves to be in that hospital.
Her whatsapp message to Moses Kuria read:
“I’m sorry your feet deep fried and burnt. Whoever bought that warmer machine without proper doctors prescription will tell us why your nerves failed you.”
“Polite reminder, when you insult us women with our infant children and parents, we are human beings too,” part of Waruguru message read.
Responding to the whatsapp message, the Gatundu South MP wrote,
“May God not hear your prayers, but I will pray for you, my condition notwithstanding..”
