My life as a county representative and a musician

Written by Edwin Namasaka emasaka@westfm.co.ke 2013-07-17 18:48:00

David Baraza. [PHOTO|West Fm|File] He intends to put up a dispensary worth  5 million at Kambini primary school and also bring investors in his ward to provide solar energy for the locals towards development but still continue doing what he does best, singing and dancing. Mr. David Baraza who has undergone a dramatic transformation is one of the youngest county representative of Bungoma County Assembly who barely 5 months ago was a full time musician performing in various public, cooperate events and also entertainment hotspots. The 28 years old audacious musician hit headlines on March 5th 2013 after trouncing former nominated councilor Mr. Mwanamisi Kombo by garnering 2,317 against 1,613, winning the Kimilili ward seat. “I contested on New Ford Kenya ticket in order to serve the people of my ward who need better health care and improved roads. Things were hard but I managed to beat them with a big margin and this shows that my people have faith in me,” he said while outside the County Assembly where proceedings were ongoing on Wednesday. As an aspirant on New Ford Kenya ticket under the umbrella of Amani coalition he faced stiff competition from Ford Kenya machinery which was also a vehicle of choice for some aspirants in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia Counties.  “Life has changed a bit, from Monday to Thursday I am always representing my people in the County Assembly. On Friday I usually meet my band members famously known as Webuye Jua Kali Band for practice. My family life has really changed since we only meet in the evening and also during weekends if at all I am not performing in any event,” said the young politician. His social life has also suffered since he says that some people tend to still treat him as a musician more than a county representative, visiting the joints he frequently visited with his friends and also feeling free as before since he needs to carry himself with much dignity as per his new status in the society. The ambitious politician says marriage life was hectic but quickly adds that his family members have been supportive since he threw himself into active politics. Baraza’s entrance into political life has not been rosy, “at first I was nervous because of intimidation and also lack of enough funds to run a campaign in this murky politics of handouts and confrontations”. Music is what lured me to politics since I usually get a chance to meet large masses and also was performing in political gatherings, that’s how it came to be,” explained Baraza. Baraza who is also a committee member for Culture and sports disclosed that plans were underway to host various festivals dubbed October festivals for the youth to showcase their talent and also market the various tourist sites within Bungoma County after the County budget set aside a Sh. 50 million for the event. The politician says that he intends to travel oversees in Sweden on 4th September this year for training on solar energy together with the Bungoma Deputy Governor adding that many locals find the cost of installing electricity too expensive. He concluded as he quickly dashes to attend to county sittings in the County Assembly.