The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga's Azimio La Umoja National Convention held at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, December 10, had many highlights with a Samburu lady, Hezena Lemaletian, aptly known as Queen of the North, animating the entire show.
Her bold political sentiments were complimented by her beauty, becoming a talk on many social media platforms and gaining the much-needed popularity to kick start her political career.
Hezena was born and bred in Samburu County. She attended Milimani Primary School in Maralal. She later enrolled at St. Theresa Girls High School. She excelled in her secondary school education and was admitted to the University of Nairobi.
The outspoken Samburu lady is the Reigning Miss Commonwealth Kenya. She became the first from the North to win that National Crown.
Prior to making her political entrance, Lemaletian had established herself in many other areas, receiving numerous accolades and appointments.
She is the Global Peace Ambassador, A Goodwill, Culture, and Charity Ambassador for the Commonwealth. She used this prestigious position to champion the rights of her Samburu society.
Lemaletian is the Rift Valley Peace Champion being the founder of Pastoralists Sports Initiative that economically empowers the youth through sports and culture to create peace and cohesion.
Recently, she graced an international arena speaking at the African Women Summit 2021 in Dubai alongside the Vice President of Liberia H.E Jewel Howard Taylor, whom she looks up to as her mentor.
She draws her inspiration from Ilhan Omar, the Minnesota, US Congress Representative.
Lemaletian also draws her inspiration from Sophia Lepuchirit, the first Samburu girl to go to University. Sophia is currently the Vice-Chair of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
"I am greatly inspired by my late father's zeal to serve Kenyans when he was the District Commissioner for many years. He was an outstanding leader in our country and someone who always put the service of the nation first. After God, of course. His main words to me were always "Never let the love of power overcome the power of Love". He also told me that the legacy you can leave best in the legacy of service to the people. His spirit lives in me because lions give birth to lions," she told Kenyans.co.ke.
Lemaletian holds a powerful position in the Raila-led party. She is the Secretary General of Vijana na Rao, a youth wing pushing for his presidency.
She is eyeing the Samburu Woman Representative seat. She told Kenyans.co.ke that her decision to venture into politics was informed by the plight of the Samburu people.
"I was driven to politics by the suffering of the Samburu people. I started it as a civic education spree which turned out to several sleepless nights where I kept thinking of how much the public resources of the Samburu people can transform their lives and yet they are misused. I decided to run for office."
"I hope to be a great Kenyan leader someday. I hope I can get a platform to contribute immensely to the service of our nation."
The outspoken lady decided to support Raila arguing that their ideas of creating a prosperous Kenya align.
"I support Raila because his ideologies identify with my own ideologies. Those of an economic revolution, investing in the resources that are the people. Growing our manufacturing industries. We have very big land in Samburu."
Her vision upon being elected as a Woman Representative include bringing agricultural revolution for the Samburu people.
"I have an agricultural revolution plan for Samburu so that we can transform our massive lands into farms and create an alternative means of livelihood. This will have a direct impact on the peace and security and obviously the economic and social impact to my people."
