If there is something that is consistent about third-term Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, it is risk-taking.
It started way before the accomplished economist was born 59 years ago, especially after his mother lost three children prior to his birth.
It is the same that made him resign from a well-paying job as a consultant at the then Justice and Constitutional Affairs ministry to try a hand in politics.
At that time, in 2008 and with only Sh1.5 million, he ran against big names like Charity Ngilu who had the backing of the Raila Odinga-led Pentagon.
Unperturbed by the first-time loss, Makali tried for the second time in 2013 and won, and now wants to go a notch higher.
The three-term lawmaker has set eyes on the Kitui governor seat, in a race that may present a second time to compete with Ngilu.
Regardless, he believes he has what it takes to beat the established household names and give Kitui a new lease of life economically.
Makali, which loosely translates to bricks in native Kamba, has had a series of fateful events in his life.
For instance, he was given this name Makali as his mother thought he wouldn’t survive like his three predecessors.
Before his birth, the parents had to do a lot to ensure that he survived.
He grew up and joined Mulundi Primary School, a stone-throw from his father’s compound, and passed Standard 7 exams with 26 out of 36 points.
Despite the stellar performance, the MP says he did not get a calling letter and hence missed the opportunity to join a boarding school.
He then joined Kalawa day school, about two kilometres from their home, earning him taunts from an elderly woman whose words he holds as having changed his life.
“The woman taunted me for joining a school ‘meant for failures’ yet I had passed so well. She used the term ‘Kasukume’, which means schools for poor performers.”
“That thing got into me and I felt so bad. I didn’t sleep well that night. I kept asking myself why she spoke like that. By morning I made a declaration to prove her wrong,” he said.
Makali says he posted good results in Kenya Junior Secondary Education, to the point his school clung to him when he wanted to transfer to a boarding school.
He stayed at the school and did his Form four exams, posting a Division I, but then again did not get an admission letter for joining Form 5.
History was repeating itself, he says, as no calling letter came from the ministry admitting him to high school.
One day while accompanying his dad to source supplies from their small family shop, he met the then-head teacher of St Charles Lwang’a Tony Woods.
Woods would then develop an interest in why he had not joined the school, and on realizing his good results, asked that he join the school.
Makali was among the only six students who managed to score university entry grades in a class of 40.
He enrolled at the University of Nairobi for a Bachelor of Arts degree, and chose Mathematics, Economics, and Sociology.
Being the risk taker he is, a friend convinced him to pursue economics, hence he changed subjects midway – in favour of Economics, Sociology and Philosophy.
“I decided to drop Mathematics despite being good at it. After year one, I scored A in all the economics papers and got admission to a 3-1-1 programme that now focused purely on Economics,” Makali explains.
He was among the top in the class and graduated with a first class in economics.
During that year ( 1900 ), his class bagged seven out of the 11 first class Bachelor of Arts degrees.
In between his A-levels and the university, Makali got married to his wife Agnes, with whom they are blessed with four children.
“By the time I landed year one, I had a wife. By the time I finished my Masters in 1992, all my children were born – two sons and two daughters,” he said.
Lucky for him, a Japanese foundation – Sasakawa, facilitated his Master's education, which he pursued while working at the Treasury.
In 1991, the Public Service Commission advertised for economists, for which he applied and was posted at the Ministry of Planning.
While here, he also had to balance between his classes and the new job, and as luck would strike, he got both.
“Together with a colleague, we decided to go see the then PS and explained we were masters students and wanted to be helped to finish school and then get back to work. He approved our study leave and put us on 85 per cent salary. That was the happiest day of my life,” Makali quipped.
On return, he’d be posted to the International Fund for Agriculture Development IFAD program under the Planning Ministry and worked there for five years.
After five years, the European Union introduced the Community Development Trust Fund and sought a programme as well as monitoring and evaluation officers.
Makali would then be taken up as M&E officer, where he again took a risk and resigned from the civil service after the government refused to extend his leave of absence.
In between, the Governance, Justice, Law and Order programme was introduced under the Justice Ministry and he resigned again from CDTF.
“GJLO was to triple my pay at CDTF. I calculated and realized that it would take six years for me to make what GJLO was going to pay me.”
In 2007, he resigned from GJLO – leaving a huge salary to take on seven other big names including Charity Ngilu who was a behemoth in Ukambani politics.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR LEGACY IN KITUI CENTRAL?
I have taught Kitui voters that we cannot get development right when we perpetuate a culture of handouts.
I have also done so much in terms of education sector.
I am known for being transparent in disbursement of bursaries – to more than 10,000 students every year. I am called ‘Makali wa Bursaries’.
We have done very well in infrastructure in schools. I have also championed construction of bridges and roads.
HOW DIFFERENT WILL YOU BE AS GOVERNOR IF GIVEN A CHANCE?
There is still much to be done in the area of health, water, road infrastructure, and economic empowerment.
These are the four pillars that can empower the people and move the county to the next level.
DO YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
I have the practical experience. Look at my academic qualifications.
I have very strong credentials which will make me the right person to sit in that office and plan for these resources.
Nobody can match my qualifications.
My performance in Kitui Central speaks for itself. I am already tested.
If I were to replicate what I have done in this constituency, then a lot can be done.
WHAT DRIVES YOU?
It is to see the life of our people better than where they are.
What motivates me is a situation where I see leaders working for the people.
I desire the kind of leadership which puts the needs and priorities of our people first.
My drive is to leave a rich a legacy, touch lives. at is why I get irritated when leaders serve their selfish interests at the expense of citizens.
IS MAKALI ALL ABOUT WORK, POLITICS
No. I am a family man. I also attend to church activities as well as social gatherings.
