WHEN 73-year-old career politician Desmond McKenzie mounted the dais at King’s House in St Andrew on Monday as one of three people to be vested with the Order of Jamaica (OJ) this year, he carried with him the people of West Kingston and the memory of several key figures who guided his calling.

McKenzie, the Member of Parliament for Kingston Western and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, recounted his political climb as he basked in his latest achievement.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer following his investiture, a beaming McKenzie, who began his climb as a councillor in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) in 1977 before becoming one of the youngest mayors for the City of Kingston in 2003, said, “I see this not just as an award presented to me but I see it as an honour for the people of West Kingston, where I started, and for all those persons who I have worked with over the years in doing the things we have been able to do.”

Awash with memories, McKenzie said his impoverished upbringing in the communities of the tough Kingston Western constituency has been the rudder for his dedication to the less fortunate in all the roles he has held.

“I grew up in poverty, in a one-bedroom where all of us grow in a big tenement yard in West Kingston. I lived at Young Street, West Street, Pink Lane, Bond Street and then Tivoli Gardens — all my life in West Kingston. So I know what it was at that time and I grew up sharing, giving, because our circumstances could not afford to be selfish,” he told the Observer.

For the grateful McKenzie, only the absence of a some dear faces dimmed Monday’s celebrations.

“There are a few persons in my life who I am sorry they are not here for the moment, and that is my mother and my mother-in-law and the most important person who laid that foundation the Most Honourable Edward Seaga,” he told the
Observer.

“I was what you would call her blue-eyed spoiled baby boy,” he said in reference to his mother. “She used to refer to me as her little black boy. She really kept us focused; when we never had anything she was always stressing the importance of doing the things that make you happy and doing it to the best of your ability. And then with Mr Seaga’s input in my life and giving me the responsibilities that he gave me that is why one of my passions is those who are less fortunate than me because at least I am coming from nowhere and they are the ones that made it possible for me, and that is why I spend a lot of my time doing that,” he said.

McKenzie also paid homage to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness who, he said, gave him an opportunity to continue to live his passion in even more meaningful ways.

“That opportunity that he gave me, on top of the things I was doing, has helped me to be here today and I am grateful because when I look back at my life, where I am coming from and the struggles and all the ups and downs it is an achievement and I am proud, very, proud,” he told the Observer.

As to what is next on his agenda the still sprightly politician has no plans of slowing despite his over four decades in the arena.

“The work continues, but looking now at my life, I am 73 this year and I have the distinction of being the only politician in Jamaica that would have served the decade from the 70s, the 80s, the 90s into 2000. I became a councillor in 1977, so it is many years, but I am willing to see what next and when that time comes I will make that decision,” the father of five said, smiling.

McKenzie’s tenure as local government minister has been marked by efforts to modernise local governance, strengthen municipal management, and bolster disaster preparedness and community resilience.

Known for his forthright style and hands-on leadership, McKenzie’s recognition reflects his sustained commitment to public administration and grass roots representation.