Anyany estate in Kibra slums, Nairobi, is one of the volatile areas that one may find difficult to live in.
Infamous for lawlessness and drug abuse among a significant section of its inhabitants, it presents a challenge to any young child dreaming of becoming somebody in life.
It is here that Dr Brian Mutie lived for the better part of his life.
Being a fourth born in a family of five children and being raised by a single mother, Mutie lived the true definition of poverty and the struggle that a Kenyan child goes through in the slums.
“It is a tough life that one must have a thick skin and the will of God to survive,” he narrated to the Star.
The hardship realities brought about by poverty were exacerbated by domestic issues in her family that forced his parents to go their separate ways.
This led to them retreating to their rural home in Makueni County where he faced another mountain of trekking 16 kilometres a day in pursuit of basic education at Mung’eli Primary School in Kaiti constituency.
“It was a tough journey that required perseverance, patience and determination to succeed. From the onset, I knew education was my only saviour. I had to keep the focus in my quest for education,” he divulged.
The sweat and pain of persevering 16 kilometres of walking every day would eventually pay off as he was able to pass his KCPE exams.
His journey at Mukuyuni high school is one that was made a success after his mother put up a spirited fight to see him through his secondary education,
“I knew this was a do-or-die opportunity for me. I had to give my best and get good results for my future to be brightened,” he noted.
For sure he kept the focus. He sat his KCSE examinations and excelled in 1997.
But again, poverty reared his ugly head and limited him from immediately pursuing a degree course.
It took him 12 years to hustle his way out of this or that to be able to raise the requisite amount of money to join university.
During that period, he curved his way into a radio station, Mbaitu FM, where he worked as DJ.
After raising a significant amount of money, Daystar University came calling for his undergraduate degree in 2008. Yet again, a ray of hope was evident in his life.
After a 4-year study, he, in 2012, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Transformation
It is from there that he hustled his way in a journey that has culminated in the acquisition of more academic accolades.
Mutie would years later enrol for a Bachelor of Law degree at the University of Nairobi where he graduated and joined Kenya Schools of Law for a mandatory postgraduate diploma.
Over the years since 2012, he has acquired a Master's in Project Planning and management, a Master's in International Law and has PhD in Governance and leadership at JKUAT where he majored in Electoral governance as his area of research.
He holds two more masters from Africa Nazarene University in Governance and Security duo majors.
He is currently undertaking a second PhD in law at the University of Nairobi.
These achievements have never made him forget his humble upbringing. His past has greatly influenced the kind of lifestyle he lives today.
“My desire is to continue bringing positive change in so city. I am involved in many charity works. I have been visiting Lang’ata women's prison to provide items such as sanitary towels. I have also been supplying girls in various areas with sanitary towels,” he said.
“I also had programs in Mathare slums where I provided food during the Covid-19 period. In the build-up to the 2022 elections, I carried a peace caravan in the Kibra area to promote peaceful coexistence.”
As a professional with rich experience, Mutie has worked as a consultant with Bodies such as Olive Leaf Foundation, Kenya and South Africa, World Bank, EU, UNDP, GiZ and the Government of Kenya.
“One day I would like to work closely with the presidency in the advisory role or go into active politics, especially in Nairobi County on governorship or senate and bring as positive change to Kenya,” he noted.
While working as a member of the presidential ad-hoc task force or committee, he helped in raising millions of shilling for the President’s housing agenda.
Mutie in 2013 gave a stab at the Kaiti constituency Member of Parliament seat.
Despite becoming a distant third, he leveraged his experience in politics to become one of the most decorated analysts for Politics and governance.
He has been featured in most leading local and international media stations.
“It is always my pleasure to be at the centre of conversations that can change the lives of Kenyans and guide leaders towards making policies that are impactful,” he said.