Former Kenyan 800m Olympic champion turned politician, Wilfred Bungei, has explained the reason behind his decision to transit into the murky world of politics.

In an interview on the Safari za Mabingwa show hosted by Oga Obinna, Bungei recounted an embarrasing encounter that left him with no choice but to contest politics.

The former Olympic champion who ran in the Emgwen Parliamentary in 2017 but failed to win the seat, recounted the embarrassing incident that made him venture into politics.

Bungei, however, said he was not affected by the loss since he was not in the running for the money but rather, to help his community.

He went on to narrate how he booked an appointment with a top Managing Director in the country but never had a chance to sit down with him because shortly after he arrived at the destination, two MP’s walked into the office before him, but after waiting three hours, the meeting had to be canceled.

Bungei said he was frustrated and concluded that the only way to help his people was by joining politics because there, doors would be easier to access and open.

“I was going to see a certain MD, and I won’t mention his name, a very senior person and he asked me to see him at 6:30 in the morning as he had requested. You know these guys, you need to see them earlier before the office hours.

“After 20 minutes, I was told to be patient and then some MPs walked in and they just stayed in that office until 9:00.

“This was around 2014. After that, the guy walked out and said, ‘Wilfred I’m really sorry, hawa wanaume wameniweka (These guys have engaged me for long).’

“I realised that MPs are the only people who will have all doors opened for them and I said that the only way to help my people was only to be an MP. It wasn’t for money or fame because I spent almost Ksh 100 million,’’ he said.

The 43-year-old Bungei added that he never wanted fame when he decided to venture into the dirty game because deep down, he knew he still wanted to do something for his people back in the village and he thought politics was the way to go.

He added that during his time as a runner, he had so many people who would come to seek help from him and he believed by being the area MP, he would be able to help everyone.

“When I ran for politics, most people thought that I wanted money or fame but I believe that I had made a name that was bigger than going for a seat as an MP.

“I ran for office because I felt that I still had something that I could be able to do for my society. The only way that I knew I could be there for them is by representing them.

“When I was in athletics and people knew that I had money, they would come and ask for help from me and I realised that the only platform I could be able to help people would be through politics.

“We regard politicians so high in this country compared to professionals and this is where I have a problem and many times I would go to an office to seek something and I would be told, ‘Wilfred we know you and we shall see what to do.’,” he said.