22-Year-Old Student Who Used Borrowed Donkey For MCA Campaigns

The story of grass to grace is all too familiar, and every day it is retold in a special way. Take, for example, George Nene, who upset the status quo to clinch a Member of County Assembly (MCA) seat in Nakuru County.

The 22-year-old student from Elementaita University bagged the Elementaita Ward MCA seat in Gilgil Constituency. He was vying under a Safina Party ticket and got 4,310 votes in the just-concluded elections.

But the surprise came when the opponent he beat happened to be his closest competitor, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Moses Ndung’u, who was the Nakuru County Assembly Majority Leader.

Speaking during a Citizen TV interview, Nene disclosed that his win is attributed to the grit and struggles he encountered during his campaign journey. He was committed to solving issues in his local area and credited his friends who supported him during the campaigns.

He stated that he had initially started with a bicycle to campaign for the seat, but encountered a serious challenge.

"I was using a bicycle to campaign and it was quite difficult to move around because of the poor roads which got even worse when it rained," he revealed.

He then got a Public Address (PA) system from his friend but found it hard to move around owing to the lack of money to hire a vehicle. It was at this point that Nene turned to a donkey.

"One of my acquaintances then gave me his donkey cart, which I fitted with the PA systems and generator to the campaign. I thought about getting a vehicle but I couldn't afford one," he added.

Nene added that he had sought help from friends who financed him with fuelling the generator as he continued campaigning on his donkey.

He credited his victory to a special moment amongst Kenyan youths, advising them to go for their dreams, just like he did.

“The opportunity I got as a youth is hope to youths in the country and is a challenge to them also that one day, they can get the position which I got.

"Patience is needed in whatever you do more so in the youth. If I was not patient in this journey, probably I could not have finished it,” the incoming legislator stated.

Deputy President William Ruto arriving at Nyayo Stadium on August 6, 2022. /WILLIAM RUTO