At the start of his campaigns, Mumias East MP-elect, Peter Salasya, of the Democratic Action Party - Kenya (DAP-K) had only a grass-thatched house in his village and his supporters had to collect little cash they could to help him put up a semi-permanent house.
This was before Defence Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa, stepped in and converted the structure into a permanent one.
With little funding to sustain his campaigns, Salasya beat not only wealthy but seasoned politicians to become the area Legislator.
“I can’t believe that I am now headed to Nairobi to represent the people of Mumias East as their next Member of Parliament. My opponents called me names and claimed I was a mad man because I was campaigning on foot for lack of a vehicle,” Salasya stated.
Peter Salasya's house under construction in March 2022
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Salasya garnered 12,140 votes to win the seat. His chief rival, David Wamatsi, who ran on Amani National Congress (ANC) party ticket, came in second with 9,043 votes.
Third in the race was Benson Mapwoni with 5,118 votes. Despite his poor performance, Mapwoni had a promising election outcome at the beginning when his candidature was endorsed by the outgoing National Assembly Majority Whip, Benjamin Washiali.
According to CS Wamalwa, the MP-elect exhibited potential as a leader despite mockery from his competitors.
“When I met Mr Salasya for the first time, I was not sure that he was serious. People were calling him names and he looked like he did not have any future. But he has disapproved of my fears and is now the new MP for Mumias East,” CS Wamalwa stated.
This is, however, was his second stab at the hotly contested seat after having tried his luck in the 2017 elections.
He was floored by Washiali and Wamatsi who finished first and second respectively.
According to a Naton.Africa report, Salasya attended Shianderema Primary School and sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2005.
He then joined Lubinu Boys High School. He graduated from Egerton University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
At the age of 32 years, with no experience in the brutal world of politics and little to begin with as a Legislator, he joins the list of other young politicians who have been elected in this election.
