Maina Karobia: The journey of youthful MP elected to EALA

The calls were coming from Parliament, where his name was on the list of those being voted to represent Kenya in the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA). He was vying under the ruling Kenya Kwanza umbrella.

On this day, Maina was actually not expecting anything because the previous day, a meeting had been convened in State House Nairobi, and the coalition leadership had settled on five names to be elected to EALA. Karobia's was not one of them. 

But against all odds, MPs from across the political divide defied any such directives and overwhelmingly voted for Karobia, propelling him to Arusha where EALA is housed. 

Reports have it that the voting was a protest to what MPs deemed unwarranted orders on how they should conduct their business. 

And when the calls came from parliament, elated MPs were congratulating Karobia and inquiring about his whereabouts. 

He quickly abandoned his engagements and headed to Parliament where he was handed a tie by one of the MPs and ushered into the Speaker's gallery. 

"I was in River Road running errands because I had given up. The Kenya Kwanza team had voted and settled for five names and so I wished my colleagues well and went about my activities," Karobia told Citizen Digital in an exclusive interview. 

Despite the alleged orders from above, Karobia dismissed the claims insisting he had the blessings of President William Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Parliamentary leadership and the youthful MPs. 

He says it is Ruto who pushed him to vie for the EALA seat. 

"You cannot become a political operative without the blessings of your party leadership. My win has taken the support of stakeholders like the president, his deputy and the Kenya Kwanza leadership. Even leaders from Azimio supported me, a sign that youth leadership is valued," Karobia adds. 

Karobia thanks MPs from both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza for believing in him, saying his main mission is to represent Kenya in the East African region, and to help make laws that promote Kenya economically and diplomatically in the region. 

"I will represent the Kenya Kwanza economic agenda in the region, and prove that youth leadership is the way to go. I will also help in legislating on peace in the region."

Kenya Kwanza elected David Sankok, Hassan Omar, Zipporah Kering, Falhada Iman and Mwangi Karobia to EALA. 

On its side, Azimio la Umoja settled on Raila Odinga's daughter Winnie Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka's son Ken Musyoka, Kanini Kega and Suleiman Shahbal.