Kakamega
By Selipher Musungu
Benard Wakoli alias ‘Opako’ is a household name in the Matungu politics. Local political pundits aver that he is someone who cannot be wished away-thanks to his grass root mobilization skills.
Wakoli – the erstwhile Ford Kenya National Youth Leader understands how to play his cards well. He is keen on details and welcomes everyone to his inner circle.
He is patience and if voters will buy to his ideologies. The Musingu High School alma mater already has the blessings of the Abashitsetse and Abakolwe, Abamurono and all other clans in Matungu. This factor may catapult his way to the top seat.
He served in both in the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and the National Super Alliance (NASA) secretariats in 2013 and 2017 as one of the advisors to the principals. In the run up to the 2017 presidential elections, he was part of the technical committee under the steady leadership of renowned economist David Ndii in crafting the Nasa Manifesto.
He started schooling at Lubanga Primary school, and then relocated to Shibale Primary school where he completed his primary education and proceeded to Musingu High School, completing his secondary education in 2001.
He was admitted at The University of Nairobi (UoN) for his undergraduate studies, specializing in Political Science.
Upon completion, he proceeded for Masters in Development Economics at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. He briefly taught at California University, Irvine-USA in 2014 before returning to Kenya.
Wakoli has been actively involved in helping the vulnerable families in Matungu for the last two years he in which he has been able to distribute over 2000 wheelchairs to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and gave free delight solar panels and kaylights to at least 2000 households.
Wakoli who is running as an independent candidate has also been empowering the locals in making of charcoal bricks to raise income and championing for table banking initiative among the women and youth.
In partnership with global partners, Wakoli says he has supported the needy and bright girls access education from primary to university level including enrolling them international universities from the area.
Wakoli whose campaign slogan is ‘Lwikho luli munda’ which means (true relationship/friendship lies in the stomach) says majority of the locals are still struggling to meet their basic needs.
“I know I will be elected as the next of Matungu constituency so that I can complete the projects that were started by our late MP Justus Murunga and then initiate my own projects. My objective is to deal to eradicate poverty and illiteracy in Matungu,” said Wakoli.
Wakoli has since been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and has promised his competitors that the race will not be a walk in park and that he will give them a ran for their money.
The mini polls will be held on March 4, this year.
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