Kanini Kega’s real name is James Mathenge Ndungú. The legislator decided to dropped his real name and have a new political brand by the name Kanini Kega. Standard Media reports that he was branded the name by his electorate in 2002 electioneering period, when he was the youngest aspirant.
Kanini Kega in Kikuyu means young and good, implying that the electorate considered him a young and promising man.
“I got the name Kanini Kega during the campaign period ahead of the 2002 General Election. I was the youngest aspirant, and most of the voters found me promising. The electorate liked me and so they called me young and good,” the lawmaker said.
In this Kanini Kega biography, the private life and political career of the Kieni legislature is explored. His net worth and sources of wealth are also discussed in this article.
Kanini Kega age and date and place of birth
Kanini Kega was born on 31st October 1972 in Wathuka Village, Kieni, Nyeri County. He is now 51 years old. His tribe is of the Kikuyu ethnic community.
Kanini Kega education background
James Kanini Kega attended Muthuini Primary School for his elementary education, which he completed in 1988. He would then join Chinga Boys High School for his secondary education, completing in 1992. Thereafter, Mathenge went to the university of Nairobi where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree.
Kanini Kega political career
He joined active politics in 1998 but it was until 2013 that he was elected as a member of parliament for Kieni Constituency. He would successfully defend his Kieni parliamentary seat in the 2017 general elections.
His predecessors to the same seat are;
- 1988 – 1992 was Joel Muruthi Muriithi on a KANU ticket One-party system.
- 1992 – 1997 was David Munene Kairu on a Democratic Party ticket
- 1997 – April 1998 David Munene Kairu on a Democratic Party
- 1998 – 2002 was Christopher Ndarathi Murungaru on a Democratic Party (Kairu died in 1998 resulting in by-elections)
- 2002 – 2007 was Chris Murungaru on a NARC party ticket
- 2007 -2012 was Namesyus Warugongo on a PNU ticket
Mathenge is among the members of parliament from central Kenya who strongly support President Uhuru Kenyatta. He was seen by many as the right hand man of former president Uhuru Kenyatta in Nyeri County.
Kanini Kega vied for the Kieni member of National Assembly seat twice but lost it. He was devastated emotionally and financially and vowed to never vie again but concentrate in his business ventures.
In an interview on radio, as reported by Hivi Sasa, he said: “Nilianguka mara mbili maana watu walikuwa wanajua naitwa Kanini Kega lakini kwa debe wanaona James Mathenge Ndungu, wakapigia watu wengine (I lost twice because my supporters could not find my nickname in the ballot, instead meeting my real name James Mathenge Ndungu and ended up voting for other people)”.
Kanini Kega vied for the parliamentary seat in 2013 using his new name and won with a landslide. He was reelected again in 2017.
Kanini Kega was elected to chair the powerful Budget and Appropriation Committee for a term of three years in February 2021.
Kanini Kega family, wife, marriage, and children
James Mathenge is married and has children but not much is known about his family.
James Mathenge Kanini Kega wealth, business, net worth
In 2000, Kanini Kega he was employed by Solagen. In 2005 he founded and incorporated Power Options Limited.
James Mathenge Kanini Kega 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.