By Nyang’au Araka
Minnesota House Representative Elect, Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley had a red carpet welcome in Kisii where she addressed female professionals on Sunday night.
About 200 attendees paid keen attention as Momanyi walked them through her journey to victory in last month’s election, where she became the first immigrant to be elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
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She asked women to be resilient in their pursuit to occupy elective leadership positions.
Momanyi said no barrier was big enough and impossible to subdue if women stayed true to the course.
“I know what it means to lose in an election. I also know what it means to win.
I lost before I won,” she said.
“The loss prepared me for the win that we are now celebrating.
The politician said that from the loss, she learnt how to create and nurture relationships, “and at the same time strategize and manage my campaign.”
She said for women to succeed in politics, they must create and nurture networks, and champion the interests of their communities.
Momanyi called on mindset change amongst the womenfolk.
She encouraged women to be consistent in whatever they undertake to make their communities better.
“Together we can bring change in the political space,” she said.
Momanyi, who traces her roots to Nyamemiso village in Nyamira County, told women to mind their mental health.
She added that the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) is on.
“There is a need for a collective change of mindset today to prevent violence tomorrow,” she said.
The politician asked Kenyan communities to protect and nurture their culture as it was their identity and should be proud of it.
“We must be intentional about what we are teaching our children, otherwise we will lose our culture,” Momanyi said, in a speech that she partly delivered in Ekegusii.
The politician noted that although their family moved to the US when she was 9, they have never shunned their culture including the Ekegusii language.
“My sister who was born in the US speaks in Ekegusii and the same happens to my children,” she said.
On Sunday afternoon, Momanyi attended a football match between Shabana FC and KCB FC at Gusii Stadium.
Shabana hammered KCB 2-0.
“I love my home team and I’m excited that they have won,” Momanyi said.
The politician came into the country late last week.
She has been attending various activities in the country.
Last week, a homecoming/ thanksgiving party in her honour was conducted at Nyambaria High School, Nyamira County.
Momanyi came in the company of her husband Hiltsley.
She met key personalities including President William Ruto.
She is expected to return to the US soon.
Momanyi made history on November 5 by becoming the first Kenyan-born immigrant to be elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The Democrat describes her victory as a testament to resilience, determination and the realization of the American dream.
Elected to the Farmer- Labour Party, Momanyi will represent District 38A in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
