My father dumped my mother after I was born - MP Isaac Mwaura

By Cate Mukei | 8yrs ago | 4 min read

**Isaac Mwaura with his wife during their wedding**

ODM Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura’s father abandoned his family when he was born. He spoke to CATE MUKEI on being a top student, hardships dating as a teenager and how he met his love

Tell us about your growing up

I was born in Kiambu County. My parents separated because of me. My father said they don’t get kids like me in their family. So I grew up with my elder brother and mother.

How did kids and rest of the extended family treat you? My family treated me well and I think they tried to protect me. They showed me a lot of love. Our neighbour’s kids, on the other hand, called me names. They tried to explain it based on what their parents had told them. Children can be very crude.

What are some of the nasty things you heard? That I will not grow up, that I got burned in hot water and that I would have changed if my blood was transfused while young. Those are the many myths, fallacies and misconceptions associated with albinism.

You mentioned you grew up with an elder brother. How was your relationship? Oh! At first, he was wonderful. During our teen years, we fought a lot due to sibling rivalry. Now we are very good friends and I adore his children. I love my nieces to death.

Were the teachers in school understanding? Yes, because it was a special school where we were judged based on our abilities.

How was your performance like? All through my primary school, I was always top three. I was the best KCPE candidate in my year. I proceeded to Thika High School for the Blind and did well. I was even the school head boy.

What are some of the things you missed but wished you could enjoy as a child? Of course, I would have loved if my mum had a car. Those who had boasted especially during visiting days. The presence of my dad as well.

Have you met him in person? Has he seen your success? No I haven’t. I am sure he has if he is still alive.

Did you have a girlfriend in school? Yes. My first girlfriend had albinism. She was a very bright girl who recently got married. The next girl I got was in campus, but her friends were against our relationship. There were other men after her but I beat them all. All the girls I have dated have been told very nasty things by those close to them.

Some blog claimed you dumped many girls for your wife... I think there are many girls who would have wanted to end up with me. Some I didn’t know at all. Others I thought were just friends.

Where did you meet your wife? We met through a mutual friend in 2012.

How did you know she was the one? ‘Cause she was...

Lupita Nyong’o is your good friend. Do you still talk? We have been friends since I was 24 and she was 23. Yes, we talk. I knew she was cut out for greatness.

I encouraged her when she found it hard pursuing her dream. I was among the first to watch, 12 Years a Slave through her personal scrap book, a collection of her memories when I visited her in New York in 2013.

She is a down to earth girl. We did a movie together in 2006 called, In My Genes. I am glad we both achieved our dreams and in the same year. In that film I act as an aspiring MP and lo! It came to pass.

Do you still meet people who treat you differently? There are people who still think that persons with albinism are not equal to other human beings. It’s sad, isn’t it? When I started in ODM some people didn’t even want to shake my hands. Yeah, of course, the Kasarani incident had such aspects. I think some people greatly underrated me. I am sure they live to regret.

How do your childhood tormentors react to your success today? I think they are very ashamed. They can’t say it. Those who never believed in me now have changed their perception.

As an MP, what do you do to help other people living with albinism? A lot. I have helped establish a government programme from scratch through a budget allocation of Sh100 million. Now every person with albinism gets free sunscreen lotions, after sun, lip care, protective clothing, skin cancer treatment and eye care services each month.

I have also established a ‘Niko na Haki’ campaign which is an awareness creation programme across the counties. We are now doing the second phase. I have also helped pay school fees for 25 learners with albinism in various institutions from kindergarten to university. I have also rescued several of them from ritual killings.

I have adopted two little kids Gabriel and Bianca and live with them together with my wife. I have helped others start businesses or get employment in companies such as Safaricom, Barclays bank and constitutional commissions.