Blind Man wins political seat in Kenya
He attributed his win to the much help he received from residents who helped him move around as he rallied for votes.
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Joseph Epuu Elim is the first blind man to ever be elected in a political seat in Kenya. He emerged the winner after he garnered 957 votes and beating four other competitors. He is now the MCA elect of Turkana West.
According to Standard, when asked how he was able to secure the seat, Joseph attributed his win against KANU, ODM, Chama Cha Mashinani and Jubilee Party candidates to the much help he received from residents who helped him move around as he rallied for votes.
He said, “Luckily I know the ward well because I was born here and all through my campaigns, I did not encounter any stiff challenge such as being despised. It was competitive politics and I sold my policies.”
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However, the father of four says that he will be working with the said competitors to create a bigger impact.
"I was competing against candidates from Kanu, ODM, Chama Cha Mashinani, and Jubilee Party but I was determined, thanks to my able supporters who still have faith that I will make an impact... I have invited my competitors who lost so that we can work amicably in community building," said Elim.
The 34 year old MCA fascinatingly used an ostrich as his symbol and it’s with good reason.
He said, “ When faced with a challenge, the ostrich puts its head down as it seeks for a solution.”
Elim says that he got his motivation to lead from the mere fact that his predecessors did nothing for the many years that they were in power calling them blind and unready to provide for the people’s needs.
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"They have been in power since independence but they has never provided solutions on how to bring water for livestock and household use. They have also failed to address insecurity, illiteracy and health, yet they can see. They are blind and not ready to provide solutions to the citizens," he explained.
He has a Master’s degree in Political Science from Kenyatta University and a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the same university.
Before joining politics, he was the chief officer in the Department of Energy at the Turkana County government.
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