JHANDA ZAHEER MERHALI
NAME | JHANDA ZAHEER MERHALI |
AGE | UNKNOWN |
GENDER | MALE |
OCCUPATION | POLITICIAN |
Jhanda Zaheer Merhali is a businessman-turned-politician from Kisii County currently serving as the Member of Parliament for Nyaribari Chache Constituency, elected in August 2022 under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Known for his flamboyant lifestyle and outspoken politics, he has built a reputation as both an entrepreneur and a legislator.
Early life
Jhanda Zaheer was born and raised in Kisii to a family of mixed heritage, with his father of Arab descent and his mother still residing in Kisii.
He is married and has three children. In the past, his personal life drew public attention during his marriage to socialite Amber Ray (Faith Makau), which became a subject of media coverage.
Beyond politics and business, Jhanda is widely recognized for his high-profile lifestyle, frequently associated with luxury vehicles, helicopters, and an image of success that he openly displays on social media.
Educational Background
Jhanda grew up in Kisii County, where he attended Kisii Primary School from 1986 and graduated in 1993 after getting his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education before joining Cardinal Otunga High School in Mosocho for his secondary education from 1994 to 1997.
In 2020, he enrolled at Kenya Methodist University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree, continuing his studies while active in business and politics.
Career
Professional career
Zaheer Jhanda’s career began in business long before his entry into politics, as he started with an entertainment venture in Kisii town, which included operating a company called Phatfarm and running pool table businesses.
Over time, he expanded into his family’s hardware business, managed outlets in Kisii and Oyugis, and later diversified into sugar distribution through a supply arrangement with Sony Sugar Company.
He also invested in petroleum services and automobile businesses in Nairobi.
Political career
Jhanda Zaheer’s first attempt at politics came in 2017 when he contested the Nyaribari Chache parliamentary seat on a Wiper Party ticket, but he lost to Richard Tong’i of the Jubilee Party.
He returned in 2022 under the UDA banner and won the Nyaribari Chache constituency seat.
Since joining Parliament, he has made headlines with bold proposals, including a push to ban shisha and vaping products, which he compared to narcotics in terms of health risks.
He has also positioned himself as a vocal critic of opposition politics, often challenging the Azimio coalition on governance matters.
Net Worth
Details about his net worth are not publicly available.
However, Jhanda Zaheer earns a gross salary of Ksh 739,600 as a Member of Parliament. This includes:
- Basic Salary: Ksh 443,760
- House Allowance: Ksh 150,000
- Salary Market Adjustment: Ksh 145,840
Jhanda Zaheer also receives:
- Sitting Allowance: Ksh 7,500 per parliamentary sitting, up to a maximum of Ksh 120,000 monthly
- Mileage Allowance: Ksh 116.63 per kilometre (capped at Ksh 353,778 monthly)
- Car Maintenance Allowance: Ksh 356,525 monthly
- Airtime Allowance: Ksh 15,000 monthly
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