Makali Mulu has built a long standing presence in Kenya’s legislative landscape, combining academic training in economics with years of public service and parliamentary engagement. Currently serving as the Member of Parliament for Kitui Central Constituency, he has represented the area across multiple parliamentary terms. The Makali Mulu profile reflects continuity in leadership and a sustained focus on fiscal policy, development oversight and constituency engagement.
His transition from economist to legislator followed decades of involvement in national planning and project monitoring. Over time, he has positioned himself as a voice in economic and budgetary debates within Parliament. As a member of the Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya, he has served in the 11th, 12th and 13th Parliaments.
Understanding Makali Mulu requires examining both his academic credentials and his administrative career. His foundation in economics continues to shape his legislative priorities, particularly in matters involving public finance and development planning.
Early Life and Educational Background
Family Background and Early Schooling
Born around 1965, Makali Mulu’s given name carries cultural meaning. In Kamba, “Makali” translates to “bricks,” symbolizing resilience. According to public accounts, the name reflects a legacy of survival after his mother experienced the loss of three children before his birth.
He began his formal education at Mulundi Primary School in 1973. In 1979, he completed his Certificate of Primary Education. He later attended Kyagwathya Secondary School for his O Level studies between 1980 and 1983. He then joined St. Charles Lwanga School for his A Level education from 1984 to 1985.
University Education in Economics
In 1987, he enrolled at the University of Nairobi, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, graduating in 1990. He remained at the same institution to complete a Master of Arts in Economics in 1992. These qualifications established his academic grounding in macroeconomic policy and development analysis.
In 1995, he obtained a Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Programmes and Projects at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. This training expanded his expertise in project assessment and performance measurement.
Between 2009 and 2015, he pursued a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics at Kenyatta University. The doctoral program deepened his analytical background and reinforced his long term engagement with economic policy.
Professional Career Before Politics
Service in the Ministry of Planning
Makali Mulu began his professional career as an Economist in the Ministry of Planning and Finance from 1991 to 1997. In this role, he contributed to national planning frameworks and macroeconomic analysis. Economists within government departments often participate in drafting development strategies and fiscal projections.
Monitoring and Evaluation Roles
From 1997 to 2004, he worked with the Constituency Development Trust Fund as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. He later served as a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at the Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector Reform Programme between 2004 and 2007.
Monitoring and evaluation functions are central to public accountability. They assess whether projects meet objectives and comply with budget allocations. This background later informed his legislative involvement in budget oversight.
Between 2007 and 2012, he practiced as an independent consultant focusing on project management and evaluation. That consultancy phase allowed him to apply technical skills across different development initiatives.
Political Career in Kitui Central
Entry Into Parliament
Makali Mulu entered elective politics in 2013, winning the Kitui Central parliamentary seat. His election marked a transition from policy implementation to legislative representation.
Since then, he has been re elected and continues to serve in the National Assembly. His affiliation with the Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya has remained consistent throughout his parliamentary career.
Committee Assignments and Legislative Work
In Parliament, he has served on several influential committees. These include the Budget and Appropriations Committee, the Finance and Planning Committee and the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee.
Committee membership often shapes legislative influence. Through the Budget and Appropriations Committee, he has participated in reviewing national expenditure proposals and fiscal allocations.
In 2024, he was appointed to a mediation committee tasked with resolving the legislative stalemate over the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill. The mediation process aimed to bridge differences between the National Assembly and the Senate, underscoring his involvement in complex fiscal negotiations.
Constituency Development and Education Support
Makali Mulu is known within his constituency for supporting education initiatives. Reports indicate that he has overseen the disbursement of bursaries totaling approximately Ksh47 million to support more than 12,500 students. Education funding remains a central concern in many Kenyan constituencies, and bursary allocation is often a key area of parliamentary focus.
Family and Personal Life
Publicly available information about Makali Mulu’s family life is limited. While he maintains a visible political profile, details about his household and private affairs are not widely documented.
Balancing public responsibilities and private life remains a common challenge for long serving legislators. His public communications largely emphasize development projects, parliamentary duties and policy engagement.
Earnings and Net Worth
Parliamentary Salary
Makali Mulu’s personal net worth is not publicly disclosed in verified financial declarations. However, as a Member of Parliament, he earns a gross monthly salary of Ksh739,600.
This amount includes a basic salary of Ksh443,760, a house allowance of Ksh150,000 and a salary market adjustment of Ksh145,840.
Allowances and Benefits
In addition to his salary, he receives a sitting allowance of Ksh7,500 per parliamentary sitting, capped at Ksh120,000 monthly. He is also entitled to a mileage allowance of Ksh116.63 per kilometre, capped at Ksh353,778 per month.
Further benefits include a car maintenance allowance of Ksh356,525 monthly and an airtime allowance of Ksh15,000 monthly. These structured allowances form part of the compensation framework for Members of Parliament in Kenya.
A Legislator Grounded in Economic Policy
The Makali Mulu profile illustrates a career shaped by economic analysis, monitoring expertise and legislative oversight. His academic path in economics and subsequent public service roles positioned him for parliamentary work focused on fiscal management and development planning.
From his early service in the Ministry of Planning to his current committee assignments, he has remained closely tied to budgetary and governance processes. As Kitui Central continues to engage with national policy priorities, his background in economics provides context for his sustained presence in Kenya’s legislative arena.
