Mulu Mutisya was born in Wamunyu, Machakos County in 1920. There is scantly information about his education and schooling. Some say he might have never had any formal education.
Mulu Mutisya first came into political light when the then Ukambani kingpin and political giant the late Paul Ngei, a freedom fighter and a close ally of Kenyatta, came into the crosshairs of KANU. Ngei had joined the change-the-constitution group which was pushing for reforms which Kenyatta never wanted.. Aware that the Vice President would act for three months in the event of Kenyatta’s death, Ngei pointedly warned, “give me those 90 days and I will teach you a terrible lesson.” This the time Mutisya’s star shone brighter and eventually eclipsed Ngei’s in the eyes of President Kenyatta in 1974 when he took over as KANU’s branch chairman.
Though illiterate, Mutisya was a successful businessman who, in 1961, formed the New Akamba Union as an instrument for political mobilisation. Mutisya hailed from Machakos but held away throughout expansive Ukambani.
President Kenyatta nominated Mutisya to Parliament in 1974 alongside the late Njenga Karume of Gikuyu Embu, Meru Associations (Gema), attests to his political skills. Mutisya was to be a Nominated MP for 18 years and was appointed chairman of the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Company, a state parastatal by Mr Moi. This means Mr Moi too appreciated Mr Mutisya’s political acumen and rewarded him for his services. Among those who sought, treasured and religiously followed Mutisya’s Counsel is Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka. Many more paid homage at Mutisya’s court.
What Mutisya lacked academically, he more than made up for with his many special talents, he was witty, distinguished and comical in a traditional African sense. He was also blessed with a very dependable skill for mobilising grassroots support.
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