MWALIMU HARRISON GARAMA KOMBE
NAME | MWALIMU HARRISON GARAMA KOMBE |
AGE | 69 YEARS |
GENDER | MALE |
OCCUPATION | POLITICIAN |
Mwalimu Harrison Garama Kombe is a Kenyan politician and educationist, and the immediate former Member of Parliament for Magarini Constituency in Kilifi County.
Early Life & Education
Harrison Mwalimu Garama Kombe was born in 1956 in Magarini, Kilifi County, where he spent his early years before embarking on his educational journey.
He began his formal studies at Mapimo Primary School, completing his Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) in 1974.
He progressed to Machakos Technical School from 1975 to 1978, where he excelled and earned the East African Certificate of Education (EACE) with a Division One grade.
Driven by a passion for technical education and teaching, Kombe enrolled at the Kenya Technical Teachers College in 1980, where he pursued a Diploma in Technical Education, which he completed in 1984.
Kombe furthered his studies at Kampala International University in Uganda, where he obtained a Bachelor of Education in Science (B.Ed. Science) between 2008 and 2010.
Career
Professional career
After completing his diploma in technical education in 1984, Harrison Garama began his teaching career at Nairobi Technical High School, where he taught between 1984 and 1986, gaining experience in curriculum delivery and student mentorship.
In 1986, Kombe moved to Malindi High School, serving there until 1987 before continuing his teaching journey in several other institutions, including Kinango Secondary and Technical School and Sheikh Khalifa Secondary and Technical School, where he taught from 1990 to 1996.
Kombe later extended his services to Marafa Secondary School and Kikoneni Secondary School, continuing his work as an educator and administrator up to 2002.
Over the years, he built a reputation as a dedicated teacher and mentor, respected for his deep understanding of technical education and his efforts to improve access to quality learning for students in Kilifi County and beyond.
Political career
Harrison Mwalimu Garama Kombe officially entered politics in 2002, inspired by his years of service as an educator and his desire to address the socio-economic challenges facing his community.
In the 2002 General Election, he successfully contested the Magarini Constituency parliamentary seat on a Shirikisho Party of Kenya (SPK) ticket. This victory marked the beginning of his political career and gave him a platform to champion education, infrastructure, and community empowerment in Kilifi County.
However, his first term in Parliament faced challenges. In 2007, his election was nullified due to electoral disputes, prompting a by-election, which Kombe contested and won, reclaiming his seat.
Later that same year, during the General Election, he lost the seat to Amason Jeffah Kingi, bringing an abrupt end to his parliamentary tenure at the time.
Despite this setback, Kombe remained active in local politics and community development, laying the groundwork for a future return to Parliament.
Kombe staged a political comeback in the 2013 General Election, this time running under the United Republican Party (URP), which later became part of the Jubilee Coalition.
His campaign focused on improving education, healthcare, and road infrastructure, resonating strongly with voters. He was successfully elected, marking his return to national politics.
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In 2017, Kombe shifted his political allegiance to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and once again won the Magarini parliamentary seat.
During this term, he served on key parliamentary committees, where he used his experience as an educator to influence policy, particularly in the areas of education and vocational training.
His leadership was noted for its emphasis on community-driven development and youth empowerment programs.
The 2022 General Election proved to be one of the most tightly contested races of Kombe’s political career.
He was declared the winner with 11,946 votes, narrowly defeating Stanley Kenga Karisa, who garnered 11,925 votes.
However, his victory was immediately challenged in court, with Karisa alleging widespread irregularities, including ballot stuffing and vote tally manipulation.
In March 2023, the High Court nullified Kombe’s victory, citing irregularities that compromised the integrity of the election.
Kombe appealed the decision, but both the Court of Appeal and, later, the Supreme Court in May 2024, upheld the nullification.
As a result, his seat was declared vacant, and plans were made for a by-election in Magarini Constituency.
Net Worth
Details about his net worth are not publicly available.
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However, Harrison Garama earns a gross salary of Ksh739,600 as a Member of Parliament.
This comprises a Basic Salary of Ksh443,760, a House Allowance of Ksh150,000, and a Salary Market Adjustment of Ksh145,840.
Additionally, he receives Ksh7,500 per parliamentary sitting, up to a monthly maximum of Ksh 120,000.
Harrison Garama is also entitled to a Mileage Allowance of Ksh116.63 per kilometre (capped at Ksh353,778 per month), a Car Maintenance Allowance of Ksh356,525 monthly, and an Airtime Allowance of Ksh15,000 monthly.
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