The sports category has moved to a new website.

Weeks after being recognised as Kenya's 44th tribe 5 Indians now likely to serve in parliament

Kenyans overwhelmingly voted for Kenyans of Indian descent in the 2017 general elections.

___7127269___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___7127269___2017___8___10___14___indian+classical+dance

On July 22nd Kenyans of Asian heritage were finally recognised as the 44th tribe by proclamation of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Following the presidential proclamation, Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi urged the community to engage the government and play a more active role in public service, particularly in politics.

“No one should discriminate against you, intimidate you or exclude you unnecessarily from all the affairs of our nation, Matiangi said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The latest entrant to parliament came for Uasi Gishu County where Dr. Swarup Mishra, who was born in Odiasha, Eastern India but settled in Kenya in 1997 was overwhelmingly voted in.

Dr. Mishra running on Jubilee ticket won by a landslide,garnering 42,952 (89.92%) votes.

His closest competitor was Kenya African National Union (KANU) party candidate, Cornelius kipkorir who only managed to get 2618 votes (5.48%).

ADVERTISEMENT

In Kisumu county, Shakeel Ahmed Shabbir born in Kisumu in 1953, running as an independent candidate charmed locals for the third time and retained his Kisumu East parliamentary seat by garnering 32 237 votes (52,58%).

His closest rival, Nicholas Odongo running on Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket, the most popular party in the region came second with 27 752 votes (45,26%) once more proofing indeed that locals care more about development than party.

The same was replicated in Meru county where Abdul Rahim Dawood running on a Jubilee party ticket retained his seat after garnering 29 042 votes (42,84%).

Silas Muriuki Rutteere, vying under Mazingira Greens Party Of Kenya (MGPK) came second with 28 894 votes (42,62%).

ADVERTISEMENT

Irshadali Mohamed Sumra running on ODM ticket, however, failed to reclaim his Embakasi South parliamentary seat after he was closely defeated by Wiper party candidate Julius Mawathe.

Mawathe got 32 899 votes (34,64%) compared to Sumra who had 32 464 votes (34,19%).

Ashif Amin Sadrudin Walji another Kenyan of Asian origin running under Amani National Congress also unsuccessfully vied for Westlands Member of Parliament seat after only garnering 15 194 votes (14,80%) compared to the incumbent Timothy Wetangula who secured 56 233 votes (54,77%) on an ODM ticket.

In the local assembly, Jaylander Malde running on a Jubilee ticket was elected Member of County Assembly, Parklands/Highridge.

Sunjeev Kaur Birdi, popularly known as Sonia Birdi, the first woman lawmaker of Kenyan-Asian heritage to serve in the national legislature may also just make her way to parliament again after Jubilee government got re-elected for a second term.

ADVERTISEMENT

She was nominated in 2013 by the United Republican Party (URP) to serve interests of special groups.

She is incredibly close to deputy president, William Ruto and in 2013 even hosted dinner for Deputy President at the Laico Regency in Nairobi.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

African countries with the highest divorce rate

African countries with the highest divorce rate

10 African cities with the highest crime index at the start of 2024

10 African cities with the highest crime index at the start of 2024

Machoka at 70: Emotions run high during Citizen TV presenter's birthday [Video]

Machoka at 70: Emotions run high during Citizen TV presenter's birthday [Video]

Diwali 2022: Is Monday a public holiday in Kenya?

Diwali 2022: Is Monday a public holiday in Kenya?

Akothee finally reveals reasons for separating from Omosh 1 month after wedding

Akothee finally reveals reasons for separating from Omosh 1 month after wedding

Man, once a ‘billionaire’, recounts how he lost wealth, now sells his book on streets [Video]

Man, once a ‘billionaire’, recounts how he lost wealth, now sells his book on streets [Video]

Details of Ngina Kenyatta's luxurious restaurant

Details of Ngina Kenyatta's luxurious restaurant

Zero Chills! Jackie Matubia's advice for Milly Chebby amid the unfollow drama

Zero Chills! Jackie Matubia's advice for Milly Chebby amid the unfollow drama

Nigerian royal dignitaries, including four kings and a queen, expected to attend Museveni’s 50th wedding anniversary celebrations

Nigerian royal dignitaries, including four kings and a queen, expected to attend Museveni’s 50th wedding anniversary celebrations

ADVERTISEMENT