Indian activist Mahatma Gandhi once quipped that strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from an indomitable will.
The adage is true in the story of Frederick Odhiambo, a cobbler who earned a nomination slot at the County Assembly of Siaya.
Odhiambo was nominated by Governor James Orengo of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to represent Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) in the county.
While speaking to the media, Odhiambo lauded Orengo for the nomination and affirmed that he would be committed to serving the interests of the PWDs in the county.
“The nomination has come as a surprise to me. I was a politician who worked closely with Senior Counsel Orengo to the extent of luring fellow disabled persons to vote in his favour but had not dreamt of holding such high office,” he stated.
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Odhiambo was born with a disability and struggled to fit in with society. Coming from a humble background, he endeavoured to change the perception of his life. However, he was forced to drop out of Sirisia primary school in Class Seven due to lack of fees after his parents died.
“I come from a humble background and my parents died while I was in class Seven in Sirisia and could not complete school. To survive, I decided to sell second-hand clothes (mitumba) for years before I was picked by a cobbler who trained me,” he noted.
As years passed, Odhiambo had to learn the skill of repairing shoes to make an income and fend for his family. This would earn him Ksh50 to Ksh200 daily.
"Jobs were not coming my way and I had to survive for my wife and two kids, every morning he would gather shoe shining brushes, different shoe polishes, a cobbler’s needle and get down to business at Ugunja centre."
Odhiambo pledges to advocate for the interests of PWds and be a role model in the society.
"When someone living with a disability is elevated to such political seats of interest, people often discredit them without a second thought. This notion should change and people should be offered equal opportunities," he said.
