Hezena Lemaletian Handed Special Role By ODM

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has nominated Hezena Lemaletian, alias the ‘Queen Of the North’ to the Senate.

In the nomination list published by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Wednesday, July 27, Lemaletian was nominated to represent the youth in the Senate.

The 32-year-old was nominated alongside Fikirini Katoi Kahindi, who is the male representative.

Hezena Lemaletian posing for a photo. /HEZENA LEMALETIAN

Lemaletian had previously dropped her ambitions for the Samburu County Woman Representative seat during the August 9, 2022, General Elections following extensive consultations with Azimio la Umoja coalition presidential candidate, Raila Odinga and elders from her community.

“This decision was made via a consensus, in the patriotic interest of the country, and as a result of a much higher need to consolidate votes to achieve electoral success for the Azimio La Umoja Campaign,” she revealed in a Facebook statement on Friday, May 13.

She praised her works which generated a movement and brought the best out of her campaign team as well as her fellow women and youth, whom she had wanted to represent in Parliament and the Samburu People at large who experienced unimaginable marginalisation despite devolution.

She added that she found incredible inspiration and saw the possibilities in collective action.

“Over the past 3 years, I unfolded a vision to be the woman representative of Samburu County. We mobilised women and youth; we inspired thousands of people, who bought into my vision; and we met millions of people, in different parts of the country.

“We have raised hopes; generated belief, and we inspired enthusiasm and hope for a better county and country,” she went on.

Lemaletian has been drumming up support on behalf of Raila, having been absorbed into the Azimio youth league led by Jubilee nominated MP Isaac Ngugi. The team has been charged with wooing the youth to vote for the coalition government led by Raila and his running mate, Martha Karua.

She first burst into the national limelight during the Azimio La Umoja National Convention held at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, December 10, 2021, when her powerful introduction, coupled with bold sentiments and ravishing beauty turned her into an overnight sensation.

Lemaletian was born and bred in Samburu County and attended Milimani Primary School in Maralal. She later enrolled at St. Theresa Girls High School where she excelled in her secondary school education and was admitted to the University of Nairobi (UoN).

The outspoken Samburu lady is the reigning Miss Commonwealth Kenya and became the first from the North to win the crown. She is also the Global Peace Ambassador, A Goodwill, Culture, and Charity Ambassador for the Commonwealth and the Rift Valley Peace Champion being the founder of Pastoralists Sports Initiative which economically empowers the youth through sports and culture to create peace and cohesion.

Hezena Lemaletian with Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga during the Azimio National Convention on December 10, 2021. /FILE

Other notable nominees to the Senate alongside Lemaletian include former Sauti Sol protégé Crystal Asige, who is famous for her distinctive verse in the band's hit song Extravaganza in 2019. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta's sister Kristina Wambui Pratt and Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu are also notable nominees. Murang'a Woman Representative Sabina Chege was nominated to the National Assembly.