In a long-standing tradition, it is perceived that moving abroad should come with the upgrade in life and better opportunities, however, Opanya Nasiali, managed even better.
In March 2013, Opanyi rode onto the history books as the first African and Kenyan to become a Mayor in the United States, when he elected to lead Claremont, California, as reported by the Los Angeles Daily News.
Born in Western Kenya and an alumnus of Chavakali Boys High School, Opanyi first worked as a checker at the Mombasa Port then a short stint, at the age of 23, working at Parliament Buildings, where he transcribed proceedings for legislators.
"I had fun working in Parliament, seeing how laws were passed,” Nasiali reminisced to Los Angeles Daily News.
Opanyi first moved to the US in 1970 through a scholarship granted by the Institute for International Education. Upon acceptance, he was selected to San Fernando Valley State College, now California State University Northbridge, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in urban studies and a master's degree in urban planning and public administration.
The former mayor returned to Kenya after his studies to work as a planning officer then later went back to the US and ventured into the private sector land development as a consultant.
He moved to Claremont with his wife in 1986.
Opanyi revealed that during his stint at Kenya's Parliament, he developed an interest in politics and was a regular in community development organisations and city council meetings.
He failed to secure a win in his first two attempts to run for office.
"Before I decided to run for elective office in Claremont City, California, I was actively involved in various community organisations and regularly attended city council meetings," Opanyi revealed.
"I also wrote and published articles in local newspapers. The articles covered many issues, including commentaries of the day, political or otherwise. I made an attempt to win elections twice but lost on both occasions," he added
Opanyi was first elected as a councillor in 2001 and upon successful reelections, the Chavakali High School alumnus was elected mayor in March 2013 by fellow council members.
“I’m just privileged to be elected and the issue will take care of itself,” Opanyi stated in an interview with Los Angeles Daily News, "Whatever anybody thinks, history will take of itself. I’m just privileged and happy to be serving my community,” he added.
Former Mayor Sam Pedroza stated that Opanyi's election was out of resilience and completely deserved.
"I think he got elected on his own merit. I think he just did more of the Corey (current councilman and former mayor) move, where after you run so many times and have your name out there the community tends to give you a shot," Pedroza was quoted by the news outlet.
“In Claremont, the bottom line is, how you lose is what counts. If you lose, stay involved in the community and eventually that comes through,” he added.
Opanyi was celebrated on December 11, 2018, in a ceremony where he and fellow outgoing council members handed over the baton to a new crop of leaders.
He is praised for his involvement in development policies and the improvement of the larger Claremont community.
"My most inspiring moment as mayor is borne out of my motto which I ran on - Living within our means. This is in view of the fact, at the time, our city was facing up to a $5 million annual deficit. I refused to increase taxes as some people in the community had suggested," Opanyi revealed.
"Instead, I urged my city council colleagues to embrace economic development as a way of improving the city’s revenues. In addition, I was inspired by the fact that during my first four years on the council, we had balanced the budget with surpluses three years in a row, not to mention that I was re-elected unopposed! All these were satisfying and welcome blessings," he thanked.
