P.K. (Paul Kirehu) Thumbi recently announced he will run for Federal Way City Council Position 7, the seat currently occupied by Councilwoman Dini Duclos.

“[Duclos] is a very fine Councilwoman but we need some new leadership,” Thumbi said in a phone interview. “She’s been here two terms and I think it’s time for some new leadership, for a new approach.”

Thumbi, 35, serves on the city’s Arts Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission and applied to be appointed to the vacant Council seat, Position 1, in early 2014 but the seat was filled by his good friend Lydia Assefa-Dawson.

“I’m a young committed Federal Way resident who is now seeking to provide community service in this level of our city government,” Thumbi said in a news release. “It is a nonpartisan office and I intend to run a nonpartisan race, based on my history as a person, as well as history in community service in this great city of Federal Way.”

Thumbi said his desire to serve is based on the belief that “America remains the most powerful and exceptional nation ever devised in human history and that it is the only nation on earth that any person, irrespective of their origin or humble beginnings, can rise and achieve the highest echelons of their dreams.”

An immigrant from Kenya, Thumbi stated his agenda is based on the economic vitality for the city, public safety and community engagement with council government.

Some of the ways he would do this is by implementing more measures and policies to attract business to Federal Way, put more of an emphasis on community policing and he will seek to improve communication between the public and its government by establishing “cafes and town hall sessions with residents in their specifics, such as on age, gender and cultural differences, to encourage more discussions on city projects and programs with respect to residents’ needs and wishes.”

Thumbi said he will continue to support parks maintenance if he becomes a councilman and promote the continued development of Town Square Park but ensure public money is spent wisely and on priority phases.

He also believes the city should join a partnership with other cities in the region to build the homeless day shelter.

“This project brings out the caring nature of our people — for the vulnerable amongst us, and I will seek to pursue on the noble project as a City Council member,” he said.

And as a former skeptic of the Performing Arts and Conference Center, Thumbi said he will oversee funds for the project’s construction and beyond.

“My concerns with the project were solely on economic affordability of it in relation to its returns after completion,” he said. “Since its economic viability has been professionally resolved, I seek to provide oversight in its building and subsequent operation, in ensuring [the] project doesn’t end up operating on our city residents’ backs — economically, thus messing up our future generations.”

Thumbi has volunteered in political campaigns for Rep. Linda Kochmar, R-Federal Way, in 2012, Diana Noble-Gulliford in 2013 and Kochmar and Sen. Mark Miloscia, R-Federal Way, in 2014.

He’s an active member of the Federal Way Kiwanis group, the Federal Way Lions Club and has been involved with the Federal Way City Vision initiative.

Thumbi was born in Kenya to a low-income, small Christian family. He grew up in a family community and attended local schools but lived in hardship, he said.

“Living through these critical institutions taught me so much and most importantly, to believe and always live through the values of faith, family, freedom and hard work,” he said.

After high school, Thumbi learned about public policy, human rights and governance initiatives in college and was trained in journalism and public relations. He worked with the National Convention Executive Council, an organization in Kenya, and worked towards “public mobilization and education on constitutional reform issues” and process that had started in early 1990s. The National Convention Executive Council’s work led Kenya to attain new people to drive constitutional order in August 2010, he said.

Thumbi immigrated to the United States in June 2012 and eventually settled in Federal Way after joining and being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in September 2012.

“My active involvement in community service made me learn so much about our beautiful and great Federal Way community by meeting so many people — many now good friends — and [I’ve been involved] in so many community initiatives, through numerous and very active local groups and initiatives,” he said.

Thumbi is active in his Christian faith and attends the Trinity Tree of Life Church. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in theology at the Tacoma branch campus of the United Theological Seminary and Bible College.

So far, Miloscia has supported his campaign, as well as a number of other community members, Thumbi said.