Kanini Kega Biography
Kanini Kega born James Mathenge is the Member of the National Assembly (MP) representing Kieni constituency in Nyeri county. He is a member of the Jubilee Alliance Party.
James Mathenge acquired his nickname Kanini Kega in 1998 When he first vied for the Democratic Party nominations after the death of Munene Kairu. At that time he was 26 years old. Other leaders dismissed him as “a beardless man with nothing to offer on the political table.” Over the years, the people of Kieni came to know him as Kanini Kega (young but good) because he was the youngest but most noble politician in the political scene in the area.
Just weeks before the elections, Kega swore an affidavit to officially adopt the nicknames so that they could appear in the ballot papers. He argued that going to the election with his previous names might have robbed him many votes because there are supporters who only knew him by the nicknames.
Kanini Kega Age
Kega was born as James Mathenge on 31st October 1972 in Kieni, Nyeri county. Mathenge acquired his nickname Kanini Kega in 1998 When he first vied for the Democratic Party nominations after the death of Munene Kairu.
Kanini Kega Photo
Kanini Kega Education
Kega attended Muthuini Primary School in 1979 and graduated in 1988 earning his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). He then joined Chinga Boys High School in 1989 until when he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 1992. Kega joined University of Nairobi in 1994 and he graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons).
Kanini Kega Son
A 21-year-old man has filed a case before a Nairobi court seeking to compel Kieni MP Kanini Kega to recognize him as his son. In the case filed at the Children’s Court in Nairobi, Mr Dennis Gitahi Wanjiru says he has tried reaching the MP for assistance without success.
He alleges that he is a son of the MP and his mother Florence Wanjiru died in 2004, leaving him under the care of his grandmother at Watuka Village in Kieni Constituency. He says he knows the MP well and that efforts to reach him have been futile, forcing him to move to court. He claims in the court papers that at one time, Mr Kega assured him of assistance only ignore him.
Kanini Kega Political Positions
Current Political Positions
Member of the National Assembly for Kieni Constituency
Started 31st August 2017
From 10th March 2013: Member of Parliament for Kieni Constituency
From 13th February 2013: Coalition Member of Jubilee Alliance
From 8th February 2013: Member of The National Alliance (TNA)
Previous Political Positions
From 8th February 2013 – 4th March 2013: Aspirant Member of Parliament for Kieni Constituency
Kanini Kega Job History
2005: Founder & Executive Director of Power Options Limited
2002: Employee at SolaGen
Kanini Kega Committee Memberships
From 2013: Member of Departmental Committee on Lands and Natural Resources
From 2013: Member of Departmental Committee on Energy, Communications and Information
Kanini Kega Responsibilities as Member of the National Assembly
- Representation – Acts on your behalf on issues of concern to you & the nation.
- Oversight – Controls budget, oversees the presidency, ministries and parastatals plus appointments.
- Legislation – Develops or contributes to lawmaking.
- NG-CDF – Runs the Constituency Development Fund.
Kanini Kega Business
Kieni MP James Mathenge started his life in Korogocho in Nairobi where he says his dreams to succeed took shape. He founded a solar energy company then, now valued at millions of shillings. His company that deals with renewable energy is now valued at millions of shillings and he employs more than 50 Kenyans.
Kanini Kega Networth And Salary
Currently, Kenyan MPs take home Sh710, 000 as basic salary and a number of allowances, meaning each member get a minimum of Sh1,378, 000 per month. The allowances include mileage, sitting, responsibility perks.
In addition to the lucrative allowances, MPs also enjoy a Sh5 million official car grant scheme to buy luxury cars every five-year term, a personal car loan from the government of as much as Sh7 million repayable at an all-time low interest of three per cent interest.
Kenyan lawmakers are also entitled to a weekly mileage allowance of Sh109 per kilometre for as many as 750 kilometres per week and monthly car maintenance allowance of Sh356,525. They also receive a generous medical allowance for themselves, their spouses and as many as four children under 25 years.
Kanini Kega compensation for terror victims
Kieni MP Kanini Kega had tabled a motion against Adan Duale but withdrew the censure motion against after Central Kenya MPs saw the need to find a beneficial solution for terror victims.
However, the MP declared he would instead table a Bill in the National Assembly that will ensure the government compensates victims of terror attacks.
The Bill proposes that each family of Kenyans killed in terror-related attacks be paid Sh.5 million. Sh.3 million from the National Government and extra Sh.2 million that will be raised by the county where the attacks took place,
He noted that if passed into law, the Government would be compelled to take more stringent measures to boost security in terror hot spots.
Kanini Kega clash with Governor Gachagua
Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua and Kieni MP Kanini Kega clashed in public after the governor accused Kega of frustrating President Uhuru Kenyatta in parliament.
Gachagua accused Kega of colluding with others to humiliate president Kenyatta by rejecting his nominee for Secretary to Cabinet Monica Juma.
Gachagua told Kega that he was not elected to choose advisers for the president after he was quoted faulting Kenyatta’s recent decisions, blaming them on wrong advisers.the MP distanced himself from the decision to reject Monica Juma spearheaded by Jubilee MPs, saying he was absent from the house on the particular day, and pledged his backing for the jubilee coalition boss.
Kanini Kega Contacts
Tel: 0710107939 / 0733491066
Email Address: mathenge@poweroptionsltd.com