We often admire the lush and flashy lifestyles that top politicians display when in power but rarely know what hardships befell them on their way to the top.
Once such case is that of Kisumu Senator Fred Outa was once a street boy in the lakeside city.
The politician, who is now 53, lost his mother when he was only three years of age.
After this, he grew up under the care of his father but this was only a shortlived phase for he also passed away when he was in primary school. Becoming an orphan was a sudden shift in his life that would change his destiny.
He was soon forced to drop out of primary school and it was at this point that he went to the city to become a street urchin.
[caption caption="Overhead view of Kisumu City's streets"]
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However, the situation changed following the intervention of an American couple which took him in and helped him get back to school.
As soon as he was of age, Outa won a scholarship to study in the US and earned himself three degrees; a BSc in Health Management from City University, New York, an M.A in Theology from School of Theology, California and an M.A in Intercultural Studies from Biola University California.
He also garnered various diplomas and certificates.
In 2007, Fred Outa tried his hand in politics and emerged victorious after clinching the Nyando MP seat from the then incumbent Eric Nyamunga. His trailblazing career political career has progressed since then.
[caption caption="Fred Outa during an interview"]
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He trumped over strong competition and maintained his seat in 2013 and went on to rise to the position of Senator in 2017 after a landslide victory over female candidate Millicent Abudho.
He has been known as a tough Senator as he was once quoted stating: “It is very unfortunate that those who saw the downfall of my brother (Ranguma) now want to run down Nyong’o’s administration. You’re in for a rude shock as you have no space with me as the Senator.”
He is now eyeing the Kisumu Governor’s seat during the forthcoming 2022 elections as he seeks to steadily advance his political future.
