Hon. Martin Kathurima: Biography and Agenda for Central Imenti

Martin Kathurima Mwirigi is a Kenyan economist, a seasoned Strategic Management & Digital Banking specialist contesting for the Imenti Central MP seat in the 2022 general election.

A resident of Kithaku in Abothuguchi West Ward, Martin Kathurima has 12 years of experience in banking, economics and finance. He has over the years worked with farmers and small businesses at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

A young leader who graduated at 21 years, Martin Kathurima considers his entry into politics an extension of his visible leadership in Central Imenti, and envisions a constituency that resembles Mwai Kibaki’s Othaya in terms of infrastructure development.

A strong believer in economic empowerment, Martin Kathurima has declared his interest in the Central Imenti MP seat, and will be contesting on a SAFINA Party ticket.

Education & Career

Martin Kathurima joined Muthangene Primary – Kithaku in Imenti Central and later joined Chogoria Boys’ Boarding, where he successfully sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations. He was admitted to Meru School to continue with his education.

Martin Kathurima holds a Bachelor of Commerce – Accounting from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and an MBA in Strategic Management from the Kenya Methodist University (KEMU).

He is currently pursuing a PhD in Strategic Management from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). Over the years, Kathurima has also successfully pursued several other management professional courses.

Kathurima has worked with several Banks, SACCOs, SMEs and non-governmental institutions, offering advisory services on Policy Development, Strategic Planning, Capacity Building and Cooperatives Re-structuring among others.

He has successfully completed over one hundred consultancy assignments with Co-operatives all over Kenya in areas of policies review and development, business process re-engineering, market research, capacity building training needs assessment, performance management and e-channels systems development.

Kathurima attributes his successes to his passion to educate Individuals, Corporates and Co-operatives in achieving optimum resource utilization while incorporating best business practices with an aim to achieve competitive edge over rivals and meet stakeholders’ expectations.

Political Journey

Martin Kathurima attributes his desire to join politics to his burning desire to transform the lives of the people economically. He believes that his vast knowledge and experience, together with his rich network with NGO’s will greatly benefit the Imenti Central residents.

Kathurima draws inspiration from several top economists, among them the late President Mwai Kibaki.

On whether he is leaving his blossoming career to join politics, Kathurima says he is extending the leadership he has all along demonstrated in Central Imenti.

“The country is currently discussing economic models. The developed nations have their models. This means that the economy is our focus at the moment. I have a robust plan to transform the economy of our people.” he says.

According to Hon. Kathurima, the failures orchestrated by the sitting MP have denied Central Imenti residents several development projects such as roads and electricity connectivity.

“I am better because I have a better vision for our people. We appear to have been marginalized due to the inefficiency demonstrated by our leaders. Central Imenti has not received even 3 kilometers of roads in the past 5 years. I will knock at every possible door to bring change to Central Imenti.” says Hon. Kathurima.

On his choice of SAFINA Party, Kathurima says he greatly associates with the achievements and ideals of the Party leader – Jimi Wanjigi.

“SAFINA in the Bible is a ship that rescued humanity. We need to rescue our people from the current economic crisis. The Party is led by an economist – Jimi Wanjigi, who has been part of several successful projects such as the Thika Superhighway.” he adds.

Martin Kathurima – Agenda

Martin Kathurima believes he has what it takes to ‘Awaken Central Imenti, the sleeping economic giant.’ As one of the young consultants who crafted the Big 4 Agenda for the Jubilee Administration, he has formulated what he terms the Big 5 Agenda for Central Imenti Constituency.

His key areas of concern are Youth and Women Empowerment, Agriculture, Education, Healthcare and Infrastructure, all anchored on a commitment to source for funding and partnerships from NGOs and other development partners.

1. Youth & Women Empowerment

Martin intends to create a Revolving Fund in all the wards in Central Imenti Constituency, a self-replenishing pool of money, utilizing interest and principal payments on old loans to issue new ones to farmers and small business owners.

He also intends to offer relevant training to youths and women on Savings and Credit Cooperative models, Youth Fund, Women Fund, NGAAF and other available finance opportunities in the country.

2. Agriculture

On matters agriculture, Kathurima intends to enhance capacity building for dairy and coffee cooperatives. He also plans to implement more exchange programs through his current Agri-based partner NGOs.

Martin Kathurima also plans to promote contract farming with partner NGOs, in order to give Central Imenti farmers access to sure markets, better management of risk and increased commercial acumen on the part of smallholders.

Still on Agriculture, Kathurima intends to lobby for guaranteed minimum returns for products from Central Imenti constituents, as well as seek grants in collaboration with dairy cooperatives to boost operations and value addition.

3. Education

In a deliberate effort to invest in skills, Kathurima intends to lobby for more funding and seek infrastructure grants for T-VET Institutions such as Githongo Youth Polytechnic and Mukiria Technical Training Institute.

“I will champion a youth-skill development program in collaboration with our existing T-VETs.” he says.

Kathurima has also vowed to address the issue of bursary allocation to needy students, with a promise to enhance transparency, equality and fairness in the process.

Also part of Martin Kathurima’s Education agenda is the creation of four equipped ICT Centers of Excellence in every Ward in Central Imenti Constituency. This, he says, is part of an elaborate plan aimed at championing an ICT based skill program in all secondary schools.

“We need to move away from painting classrooms and taking pictures. I will ensure that our children are exposed to the latest knowledge on technology at their formative age.” Kathurima says.

4. Healthcare

In the wake of several new KMTC campuses in the country, Central Imenti remains without a single campus. Martin Kathurima intends to set aside funds for the construction of the first KMTC campus in Central Imenti.

He also plans to work together with both the National and County governments on matters healthcare, seek funding from the private sector for several health amenities and establish a functional cancer center in the constituency.

5. Infrastructure

Several roads earmarked for tarmacking in Central Imenti have not been tarmacked, something Hon. Kathurima blames on poor lobbying by the current legislator.

“Instead of befriending officials from KURRA and KERRA, the MP is seen quarreling them. I will lobby for fast tracking of all the earmarked roads and ensure several others are classified accordingly.” he says.

Kathurima also intends to purchase and maintain road graders to serve all the 4 Wards to enhance seasonal roads maintenance, as well as seek new technologies and partnerships to build and maintain roads in Central Imenti.

Martin Kathurima – Contacts

Martin Kathurima’s Official Facebook Page is Martin Kathurima for Central Imenti-MP. His Email Address is info@kathurimaassociates.com. There is currently no official Twitter or Instagram Page associated with him.