Former Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi is 65 years old and worth close to Sh400 million but still craves to go back to public office.
She was nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta to serve as a commissioner in the National Land Commission.
When asked about her ability to deliver due to her age, she told off Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo who had posed the question saying she is not going to dance or play football in the NLC.
“The MPs questioning me about my age, [I would like to tell you that] I am not joining the National Land Commission to play football.
“I am not going to a football field or dancing competition I go to the gym every morning and I can say am fitter than some 35-year-olds,” she said.
But MP Mbogo followed up saying the age factor was a concern given the Jubilee administration promised to create jobs that would be taken up by the youth, yet, day in-day out, “it is the elderly people” who end up being appointed to vacant positions in government.
The University of Nairobi graduate who lost the parliamentary seat to a greenhorn, Ngunjiri Wambugu, was first elected Nyeri Town representative to the National Assembly in 2007 polls under a PNU ticket.
She said she has over 10 years experience in real estate and is currently a director of a real estate company.
“I have been a member of this committee (Lands) when I was MP. I served the people of Nyeri for two terms,” she told MPs during her vetting on Thursday.
Former Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner-General John Njiraini in August withdrew his candidature for National Land Commission chairperson post.
Citing personal reasons, he indicated in a letter to the selection panel that he had bowed out of the race.
“I wish to communicate my decision to withdraw as a candidate for the position of chairperson of NLC in order to pursue other interests,” the letter, dated August 7, reads in part.
The former chief taxman was among 11 candidates shortlisted for that post after the exit of embattled Muhammad Swazuri.
There were 117 applications received by the panel led by Pricilla Nyokabi, who is former Nyeri Woman Representative
