An 87-year-old grandmother in Kabuchai, Bungoma County was elated after she moved into a new house constructed by her area MP, Joseph Majimbo Kalasinga.
Clementina Namunyemba won plaudits for rising up at 5 am to queue and vote in the Kabuchai by-election on March 4, 2021. Namunyemba voted for Kalasinga who won via a Ford-Kenya ticket.
She walked three kilometres from her home to the nearest polling station to exercise her voting rights.
Namunyemba's son supported her as she made her way to the polling station. Being frail, she also leaned on her walking stick and was allowed to bypass the queue.
The widow stated that she has voted in all elections since Kenya got independence.
On Saturday, July 10, the widow received the semi-permanent house, in the company of the MP and area residents.
"Her aim is to vote for a leader who would cater for her welfare. Today the area MP honoured the granny's wish.
"He built her this new house, painted and furnished it," Namunyemba's kin stated on her behalf.
Kalasinga lauded the elder woman and urged the youth to ape her devotion and vote for leaders who support change, growth and development.
"Our mother (Namunyemba) is a leading example for many. I love her spirit and vision. If such an aged woman can wake up to vote, what about us - the youth - who register but fail to vote and later complain?" the MP wondered.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), four million Kenyans have attained the voting age of 18, hence the total number of registered voters could hit 25 million ahead of the 2022 elections.