Tag: Shabab Ward

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MCA Wathiai shares on why he loves rugby

It is rare to see honorable members taking an active role in matters of sports unless when officiating handing over of jerseys and other items to empower young talents.

However, one Member of County Assembly of Nakuru has embraced Rugby sports to an extent that he never misses such touching events within and without Nakuru.

The current Shabab Ward MCA  David Wathiai is one man who has proven that even honorable members can  do more in the world of sports as participants or fans.

Besides being an MCA, he is also a member of the Nakuru Rugby Committee.

His recent appearance at the Nakuru Athletics Club during the 10 aside rugby tournament is what triggered Mtaa Wangu to unmask the other cap that the honorable member wears.

Born and raised in Nakuru’s Ngei estate, Wathiai says his interest in matters sports and more so rugby started when he was young.

It happened that one of the founders of  Nakuru RFC Larry Okinyo was also staying in the same estate and through interactions, Wathiai started developing interest in  rugby.

At times, Wathiai together with other young boys from the estate would accompany Okinyo to Nakuru Athletics for training as ball boys.

“We used to hang around with Okinyo for he was our neighbor, so whenever he went for training, we would help him carry the bags. In rugby there is what we call ‘stool’  side stepping and that is where the juicy part of rugby is” says Wathiai.

An alumni of Menengai High School, Wathiai reveals that his interests in the rugby games has seen him attend numerous 10 aside matches with the latest having played in Nakuru last weekend  just to give the team moral support.

He notes that by the time he was clearing high school, Nakuru rugby team had not secured sponsorship.

The team had to rely on fundraisers to enable them travel for tournaments in various parts of the country.

However, there was light at the end of the tunnel around 2011 when Menengai Company stepped in to sponsor the team that saw it win Kenya Cup twice.

“We used to have harambee for the team to travel to and from match venues as they had no sponsorship,” says Wathiai.

Wathiai who is also the Vice Chair Sports Committee at the County Assembly of Nakuru, notes that the Nakuru RFC is still struggling in terms of sponsorship as Menengai pulled out.

He is however quick to note that as a strong believer in rugby matters, he will lobby through the committee to have more allocation towards sports kitty so that the welfare of Nakuru teams can be taken into consideration.

This, according to him, is the only way to help nurture young talents that will continue raising the flag of Nakuru County.

He regrets that for the first time in 23 years, Kenya Sevens will not take part in the World Rugby Sevens Series as they have been relegated after they lost to Canada 12-7 in the relegation play-off final at the London Sevens last weekend.

“We are pushing the sports department to see to it that sports matters in Nakuru are taken good care of. We don’t want to see our teams suffering due to lack of sponsorship,” he says.

When not in chambers of the county assembly of Nakuru or in the field doing rugby, Wathiai is also a stakeholder in the matatu industry.

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Shabab residents receive free medical services sponsored by Lions Club of Nakuru

Lions Club of Nakuru in partnership with other organizations on Saturday held a free medical camp at Shabab Social Hall in Nakuru Town West sub county.

The camp that attracted huge number of locals saw free screening for various ailments and medicine dispensed.

Speaking during the event, former President Lions Club of Nakuru  Mr.Shailesh Sheth noted that the harsh economic times makes it difficult for vulnerable families to access medication hence such free medical camps are paramount.

Mr.Shailesh  attributed the huge turn-out to the fact that majority of families cannot afford medication fee in public health facilities.

It is for this reason that he reiterated the commitment of Lions Club of Nakuru in addressing such challenges through frequent free medical camps in all the wards in Nakuru County.

He however urged the locals to have the tendency of going for frequent medical check-ups.

“The turn out here is huge and this communicates a lot in terms of locals have challenges in accessing healthcare services due to the harsh economic times. AS Lions Club of Nakuru, we shall continue to hold such in various wards” he said.

International Association of Lions Clubs District Governor Shehan Luhar who also graced the event lauded Lions Club of Nakuru and other like-minded organizations for the good gesture towards transforming society.

He noted that the society cannot be transformative if some individuals are left behind when t comes to accessing key services such as health.

The District Governor also commended the progress made on carrying out of cataract operations and corneal transplants adding that the project will go a long way in addressing the challenge of blindness among many.

“We are very grateful for what Lions Club of Nakuru is doing and we believe this is the way to go in ensuring a better society. Such initiatives should be supported” stated the District Governor.

Sentiments echoed by the current President Lions Club of Nakuru Lion Sarabjit Sagoo who vowed to ensure more free medical camps are held.

He also urged locals to embrace the cataract operations and corneal transplant project.

“Lions Club of Nakuru will do all we can to ensure a better society” said the President.

Locals led by Francis Waweru from Kaptembwa said such free medical camps are key in assisting the locals.

Waweru who has had a problem of cataracts was optimistic that his problem will be addressed fully.

He however challenged government to step in and ensure that the area dispensaries are fully equipped.

“I came here early when I heard about the free medical camp so that my long time issue of cataracts can be addressed. But we also urge the government to assist us the elderly people by ensuring we don’t go longer distances in such of medial services” he said.

According to Dr.Moses Kariuki from Lions Sight First Eye Hospital noted that issues of cataracts and eye problems is common.

He also revealed that through the free medical camp at Shabab, Nakuru West majority of the cases were allergy which he attributed to the lifestyle.

“Most cases here is allergy which can be due to the water or food that the locals use. But we have attended to them and given advise” he said.

The event was also attended by area MCA David Wathiai who vowed to work closely with stakeholders i ensuring health mattes in Shabab ward are addressed.

While urging locals to ensure they enroll with NHIF, Wathiai also warned individuals who have tendency of grabbing public land meant for health facilities that their days are numbered.

“I will personally work with Governor Kihika to ensure our facilities are fully equipped and those that had been grabbed are returned back for construction of health facilities” said Wathiai.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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David Wathiai Macharia – Mtetezi wa Watu

Immediately after his Form exam at Menengai high school, David Wathiai Macharia joined the matatu industry as a driver in 1997. He says the matatu that used to ply the Shabaab route was the most popular along the route and he really enjoyed his work.
Shortly after in 1998, he joined the Municipal Council of Nakuru as a clerk. He has worked in several capacities since he joined MCN and is still working there under the County Government of Nakuru where he works at the land rates office. 

Interaction with Politics

Wathiai was born in a political family. His maternal grandfather, Benson Karuku is a former councillor at Nakuru’s Bondeni ward. His paternal uncle Hon. Daniel K Macharia was also a Councillor and he was thus introduced to politics from early life.

His father, Kanyi Macharia who used to work for the defunct Municipal Council of Nakuru has also vied thrice for the ward representative’s seat.

In 2010, Wathiai as an employee of MCN became the Personal Assistant to His Worship the Mayor, Hon. David Gikaria who is the current MP for Nakuru East. Working in Hon. Gikaria’s office brought him even closer to politics and the two struck a friendship that has remained to date.
“Gikaria is the one person I look up to in politics. He’s down to earth and freely interacts and mingles with the people he represents whatever their social standing,” says Mr Wathiai.
 
The present MCA for Shabaab ward Hon. Kamau Githengi is also a personal friend to Wathiai. They have known each ever since he was a matatu driver where Kamau also used to earn his living at the Shabaab stage.

Growing up and Education

Just like the majority of children born in Nakuru at that time, Wathiai was born at Bondeni Maternity. He joined Mama Ngina primary school and later Menengai High school where he did his Form four in 1996.
As a student at Menengai High School, Wathiai used to play basketball although his first love was rugby. He, however, gave up rugby while in form three when a form one student embarrassingly tackled him. He also used to act while in High School.
In 2012, Wathiai joined Tracom College in Nakuru which offers its courses in conjunction with Busoga University of Uganda. He did a diploma in procurement and graduated in 2014 at a ceremony held in Uganda. He is currently in his 2nd year at Mount Kenya University doing a degree in Business management.
Wathiai loves rugby to a fault. He is one of the strongest supporters of Top Fry Nakuru Rugby Club better known as Wanyore and is the chairman of the Wanyore Fanatics.

Wathiai believes strongly that sports can be used to foster national cohesion as it brings people from all walks of life together. In June 2015 when Nakuru hosted Tunisia in a game of rugby, Wathiai and his friends used the occasion to condemn terrorism in Tunisia

 Mtetezi wa UmmaEver since he was a tout, Wathiai is outspoken and will always speak against oppression. Many of his friends consider him controversial and while still PA to mayor Gikaria, he had sought to be elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Local Government Workers Union but the elections were never held.

David Wathiai is also a compassionate person who will always go the extra mile to help people in need especially the youth. As the chairman of the Shabaab Youth, Wathiai is always looking for ways to empower them economically. Together with the area MCA Hon. Kamau Githengi, they are in the process of setting up a carwash business and pay to use public toilet to be managed by the youth.

As proof of his passion for sharing, he has been holding a Christmas bash for Shabaab based street families since 2012. He also tells of a case of a matatu driver who was suffering from Hepatitis B and needed Kshs. 300,000 for treatment. Wathiai carried out a campaign to help the driver and although he passed on, he was able to raise funds to offset part of the hospital bill.

A leader now and in the future…….Over time, Wathiai has held several leadership positions. Apart from being the chairman of the Shabaab Youth, he has been the Vice-Chair at his local church and a member of the Supervisory Committee at Tupendane Sacco.

His dream, however, is to be a political leader and he will be vying to be the next MCA for Shabaab ward. He is a great friend to the present MCA whom he says will be vying for Nakuru West MP in 2017. In 2022, Wathiai intends to vie for MP and in 2027 as Nakuru County Governor.

He says that he would like to continue empowering the marginalized in the society and protect the rights of youth, children and women. This is a trait he has gotten from Nakuru East MP David Gikaria whom he mentions as his mentor in politics.

Wathiai the ManWathiai is a down to earth and he says he prefers eating from a kibanda (Makeshift stall) where he can interact with the common wananchi (Citizens). He is married with three daughters and to supplement his income, he runs a matatu on the Shabaab route.

He is a non-smoker and teetotaller since 2014 December when he vowed never to take alcohol again.
Wathiai can be found both on Facebook and Twitter 

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