‘I intend to bring service in leadership,’ Lemaletian says on vying for Samburu Woman Rep seat

Kenyan beauty queen Hezena Lemaletian has affirmed her decision to contest for the Samburu Woman Representative seat in the 2022 General Elections.

Ms. Lemaletian who also doubles up as the Secretary-General for Vijana na Rao, a movement that pushes ODM Raila Odinga's presidential bid,  exuded confidence of clinching the legislative seat in Samburu attributing her forthcoming victory to the agenda she bears for her.

 “I am coming up with an alternative means of livelihood, I am not telling them to eradicate nomadism because it is a central part of our culture,” Lemaletian said in an interview with KTN’s NewsHour on Wednesday night.

The Queen of the North faulted the past leadership in the region for having led to the backwardness of her community and the slow development.

She mentioned key problems affecting her people as lack of water, poor health services, schools in a bad state and undeveloped infrastructures.

“I think we have never had servant leaders who put the interests of people first. We have had corrupt leaders, we have had leaders misusing public funds and not having ideas or solutions to problems we are facing,” she said.

Lemaletian explained that her decision to battle for the Samburu legislative seat was driven by her strong desire to see her people in a better place and understand their rights.

She argued that leaders in the region had been misleading the people and thus they are unable to understand what to expect from their leaders.

“Samburu’s are not bad people; they are very listening and understanding people. They just don’t have the access to the right information,”

“I went to our referral hospital at night and there was not even a painkiller;, there is no water in Maralal, where are the leaders? Our schools are in a deplorable state. What is there to praise the leader for?” Lemaletian posed.

On her political direction, the queen of the North declared that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party would be her vehicle while ascending to power as she subscribes to Raila Odinga’s plan for the country.  

“I am running on ODM as it identifies very well with my ideologies on democracy and, am a youth and am looking at what Baba has to offer; his agenda revolves around economic revolution and those are stipends I want to run with,” she stated.

Lemaletian added: “Baba is a very respected man globally and he has been very persistent in fighting for minorities like me, and I remember at one particular time he protected Mau Forest from land grabbers and stood with us when he was a prime minister.”

The two-time beauty queen came to the limelight during the Azimio la Umoja National Delegates Conference held at Kasarani where, amidst senior political leaders, had the opportunity to address the congregation.