After announcing his bid to challenge the incumbent Senator Tabitha Karanja in 2027 for the senatorial race in Nakuru, little is known about David Gikaria.

He is now set to hit the ground running after declaring his interest in the senatorial race, with Governor Susan Kihika fully backing his bid.

Kihika has strongly thrown her weight behind Gikaria and wants him to take over as senator after 2027. This comes amid a heated rivalry between the governor and the current senator, with the two often clashing publicly and trading insults.

While visiting his constituency, the governor endorsed Gikaria for the seat, saying that the race is already secured for him and will be an easy win. Gikaria is currently serving his fourth term, having first been elected in 2013.

Finance Bill 2024

It was in 2024 that he came into the national spotlight during the controversial Finance Bill debate when he voted in favour of the motion. The decision put him at loggerheads with many Kenyans, particularly the youth, forcing him to apologise.

He went as far as printing a white T-shirt, worn together with his wife, bearing apologetic remarks to Kenyans and their constituents.

At the time, public outrage was high against MPs who supported the bill, with the Molo MP Kimani Kuria from the same county even having his house razed and property destroyed. The viral photo of Gikaria and his wife wearing the apology T-shirts spread across the nation, capturing widespread attention.

Having been elected for three terms, Gikaria now feels it is time to move to the Senate and represent the entire county.

This decision was made public after he hosted opinion leaders in Nakuru East, a meeting that saw residents overwhelmingly rally behind him. Governor Kihika’s endorsement during the event reinforced his entry into the race, declaring that his constituency had already released him to seek support countywide.

Political career

David Gikaria, born in 1963 in Nakuru, has been a prominent figure in Kenyan politics, serving as the Member of Parliament for Nakuru Town East Constituency. His political career began as a councillor for Lake View Ward in the Nakuru Municipal Council from 2002 to 2007, followed by a term as mayor of Nakuru from 2008 to 2010.

He later returned as a councillor from 2011 until 2013, when he transitioned to national politics.

Gikaria’s tenure has been marked by his advocacy for youth and women empowerment, as well as his participation in key parliamentary committees, including Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources.

Background

His educational journey began at St Theresa Primary School (1973–1979), where he earned his Certificate of Primary Education. He then attended Menengai High School for his O-Level studies (1980–1983) and A-Level studies (1984–1985).

At Strathmore University, he completed CPA Parts I and II (1989–1990). He later pursued Diplomas I and II in Management at the Kenya Institute of Management (2005–2006) and went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Management in Purchases and Supplies Management at Mount Kenya University (2012–2016).

Before entering politics, Gikaria worked as an auditor at the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya from 1986 to 2001, applying his accounting expertise to strengthen financial accountability.

His transition to local governance as a councillor and later mayor gave him the platform to oversee municipal operations and spearhead community development projects in Nakuru.