I'm Tired: Igembe South MP John Mwirigi Threatens to Return Car Uhuru Gifted Him

Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi has threatened to return a luxury car President Kenyatta gifted him in 2017.

This comes after he faced criticism from a section of leaders and Kenyans for claiming that he owes no allegiance to President Kenyatta for the gift.

The youthful MP, who is seeking to defend his seat under the UDA party, further stated that it was Deputy President William Ruto who implored Uhuru to gift him the brand new Toyota Prado.

His remarks attracted heavy criticism, with some Kenyans accusing the 28-year-old first-time MP of being disrespectful and thankless.

Mwirigi claimed Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has repeatedly reprimanded him over the gift, to seemingly blackmail him over his political stand.

He noted that he was tired of blackmail from a group of leaders allied to the president, saying he was ready to return the car for the “sake my peace of mind.”

"If at all CS Munya is speaking for the president, I may, for the sake of my peace of mind and independence consider returning the gift. I will not bear the blackmail by the CS anymore. And, If the attacks are an orchestrated plan to coerce me to change my [political] decision, well it will be an exercise in futility," Mwirigi said.

He also dismissed claims that he has disrespected President Uhuru, saying that is a creation of the people. Mwirigi also argued that Kenyatta gifted him the car wholeheartedly and did not expect anything in return from him.

"I will be very categorical on this issue. I have never insulted or disrespected the president in any way and I am not planning to do so at any time. But note, my allegiance to His Excellency DP William Ruto will not change at all," he added.

At the age of 23, Mwirigi became the youngest elected MP in Kenya after clinching the Igembe South parliamentary seat on an independent ticket.

During his campaigns, he traversed the constituency on foot since he did not have a car and also relied on well-wishers to finance his campaigns. Days before he was gifted the car, Mwirigi boarded a public service bus from Meru to Nairobi to attend orientation for MPs at the parliament. 

The Mount Kenya University graduate garnered 76 percent of the votes cast in his constituency.