Nairobi, Kenya- When the Y News crew visited Maina Karobia, Kenya’s youngest MP, we expected an engaging interview—but what we got was even better.
From the moment we walked in, Karobia’s easygoing nature and sharp wit set the tone for a lively and entertaining conversation.
He made our quickfire session feel like a friendly chat, throwing in brilliant responses and cracking jokes that had the whole team laughing.
But in between the laughter, he shared a story that caught our attention—one that explains why, to this day, he cannot swim or ride a bike.
🔥 Y News Quickfire with Kenya’s youngest MP, @MainaKarobia ! Rapid questions, bold answers—no filters! What would YOU ask? 👇
A Childhood Memory That Almost Turned Tragic
After wrapping up our rapid-fire questions, the conversation turned casual, and the MP, in his usual humorous way, flipped the script and asked us about our hobbies.
When swimming came up, he chuckled and admitted, “I can’t swim.” As if that wasn’t surprising enough, he added, “I also don’t know how to ride a bike.”
Intrigued, we pressed for details. That’s when he took us back to his childhood and a day he would never forget.
Like many young boys growing up in Kenya, Karobia and his friends followed an old tradition known as dufu mpararo—a school-closing-day ritual where boys would jump into rivers for an unstructured, often reckless, swimming adventure.
For some, it was a test of bravery; for others, a final day of fun before heading home for the holidays.
Despite not knowing how to swim, young Karobia joined in, eager to be part of the moment.
But what started as an exciting experience quickly turned dangerous.
He lost control in the water and, for a terrifying moment, felt his life slipping away. Thankfully, he survived the ordeal, but the incident left a lasting mark.
“To this day, I just can’t do it,” he said with a laugh. And just like that, the room erupted in shared amusement, even as we acknowledged the seriousness of the moment.
A Call to Action for Young Leaders
Beyond the jokes and personal anecdotes, our visit was about more than just getting to know Karobia.
As a young leader, he is passionate about inspiring his peers to be proactive in shaping Kenya’s future.
Karobia’s journey into politics is a testament to that mindset. He believes young leaders should not just be critics but also offer themselves as viable alternatives in elective positions.
His message is clear: the future belongs to those willing to work for it.
As we wrapped up, we left not just with a great story but with a renewed appreciation for what it takes to lead at a young age.
And, of course, we’ll never forget why Kenya’s youngest MP stays far away from swimming pools.
