Former Meru County Governor, Kiraitu Murungi, has announced his new mission to stir a happiness revolution.
The long-serving politician who recently retired from elective politics announced on his Facebook page that he has completed a one-year course in happiness studies with the US Happiness Studies Academy.
“I am now fully equipped to spearhead the happiness revolution in my motherland,” the 71-year-old wrote. Kiraitu Murungi expressed his belief that a happy nation is a prosperous nation and that it is time for Kenyans to prioritize happiness and well-being. He plans to use his knowledge and expertise to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote happiness and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
KIRAITU MURUNGI HOPEFUL
With his new mission, Kiraitu Murungi hopes to inspire a positive change in his community and beyond.
Nobody is completely happy. In life, everybody is happy and sad, but you try. Where I am now, I am happy.
Kiraitu Murungi.
The New York-based academy, which offers online courses, was founded by Dr. Tal Ben Shahar, who previously taught positive psychology and the psychology of leadership at Harvard University.
Mr. Murungi currently the Chairman of National Oil Corporation of Kenya, Nock, a government body, said his motivation for doing the course came after losing the governorship in the 2022 elections after 30 years in politics, which caused him stress and depression.
STRESSFUL JOURNEY
“My journey as a lawyer and a politician took a toll on me. I was anxious and worried most of the time,” he posted on Facebook.
“Nobody is completely happy. In life, everybody is happy and sad, but you try. Where I am now, I am happy. I am making good progress in my pursuit of happiness.”
The website of the Happiness Studies Academy says that participants in its course get “the knowledge and practical tools to cultivate happiness across various dimensions, including the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and national levels”.
Several years of NON-STOP service as a lawyer and politician affected his state of happiness, hence the new search
HAPPINESS JOURNAL
Earlier this year, Mr. Murungi launched a magazine, the Happiness Journal, which is published by his company, the Happiness Resource Centre alongside a YouTube channel. where he shares wealth creation and happiness tips.
He is listed as the chief happiness officer at the company.
Lat year, Mr Murungi defended his Meru Gubernatorial seat but lost to her rival Kawira Mwangaza. The suprise loss left the Governor devastated. In article published by the Daily Nation, the former governor, who earlier served as the Meru Senator, explained his loss, promising to step down from active politics.
The man who once served as South Imenti MP and minister in the President Kibaki administration has since adopted an easy lifestyle, occasionally sharing money tips on his social media handles.
Though still a board member of a parastatal, he has taken a back seat in politics.
Though his Happiness campaign, Mr Murungi could be entering an ongoing debate on how to measure economic progress better, with some economists preferring the happiness Index to GDP.
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