From Nyamira to Minnesota: A Kenyan rises to State leadership

Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley, the first Kenyan immigrant to win an elective seat in the United States of America during homecoming celebrations in Nyamira county. [Stanley Ongwae, Standard] Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela might be smiling down from the heavens, proud to see people of colour thriving in spaces that were once inaccessible during their lifetimes. It becomes even more compelling when the subject is a young Kenyan woman living her dream and succeeding in one of the most powerful countries in the world. For 39-year-old Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley, her journey is one of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers. She recently made history by joining the ranks of women achieving "firsts," having been elected to Minnesota's State House of Representatives for District 38A. In her second attempt at the seat, Huldah defeated her Republican opponent, Brad Olson, with a commanding 65 per cent of the vote. This victory marked a significant milestone for the Kenyan-born politician. Ms Momanyi recently returned to Kenya as part of her thanksgiving journey, where she shared her story with The Sunday Standard in Nairobi. "It has been a rollercoaster," she said. "It actually feels good to be done with campaigning and now it's time to get to work." Momanyi's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Her path to the Minnesota State Capitol was paved with struggles, including an intense battle against an immigration system that nearly saw her family deported. For 11 years, she and her family fought against deportation. Their fortunes turned when the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone intervened, petitioning immigration authorities to overturn the decision. Two decades later, Momanyi now stands as a testament to perseverance and a proud example of immigrant success in the US. "I believe Senator Wellstone is proud of what I've accomplished," Momanyi said. "I'm sure his well-meaning spirit is cheering me on from heaven." Born in Nyamira, Kenya, Momanyi spent part of her childhood there while her father pursued further education in the U.S. In the 1990s, her family relocated to Minnesota. After settling in the U.S., she pursued her education, began her career, and eventually entered politics. This year marked Huldah's second bid for a seat at the state level. In 2022, she ran unsuccessfully for a state Senate seat in District 40. Reflecting on the difference between the two campaigns, she said, "This time, I knew how to run campaigns. Before, it was just about connecting with people and organising communities. I didn't think data mattered-but it really does." She credited her victory to embracing technology, particularly social media, which has revolutionised campaign strategies worldwide. "We focused on registered voters and honed in on their issues. We communicated with them in a way that convinced them I was their candidate of choice," she said. She added, " We are in the world of technology, especially with our Gen-Z. Technology really helped us to map out the different wards within my district to ensure that when it came to the primaries, we analysed how they vote and how we could tailor our campaigns to their liking," Although Kenya remains her ancestral home, Momanyi's priority now lies with the voters who have entrusted her with representing them. She is, however, keen on fostering stronger economic and cultural ties between Kenya and the U.S. "This is just the beginning of conversations with institutions like Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs," she said. "We want to explore how the diaspora can invest back home while also creating opportunities for Kenyans to invest abroad. Most Kenyans in the U.S. aren't relocating back home-they're usually here only for vacations." Similar campaigns Momanyi's campaign promises resonated with her constituents, focusing on issues like affordable housing and healthcare access-issues that mirror those being debated in Kenya. "In the U.S., affordable housing means addressing the needs of people at different life stages. Young graduates, for example, aren't looking to buy homes but need affordable rental options to maintain decent living standards," she explained. She stressed the importance of strengthening renters' rights and reducing taxes to improve livelihoods, ensuring even immigrants have opportunities to own homes. "We must have strong rental rights so that those who are renting are protected under the law. We want even immigrants to be home owners irrespective of where they come from. Bringing down taxes is important so that they can be able to afford their daily livelihoods ," Momanyi shared her thoughts on the changing political landscape in Washington, particularly with the coming administration under President-elect Donald Trump and the impact of his win to Africa "We already know what he brings to the table especially for the African immigrant community and it's quite concerning, but we are confident in the laws of the country," she said As she prepares to serve Minnesota's District 38A, Momanyi is prioritising public safety policies, affordable housing, workers' rights, and support for small businesses, many of which are owned by African immigrants. "I'm bringing new energy to the legislature. With only two years in this term, I want to focus solely on my constituency's needs while also working to reduce bureaucratic red tape that hinders bilateral relationships between Kenya and Minnesota," she said. Her visit to Kenya included a homecoming ceremony in Nyamira County, hosted by Governor Amos Nyaribo.

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