Senator Millicent Omanga on politics, women and haters

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ominated Senator Millicent Omanga remains one of the flamboyant female politicians in Nairobi. Ms Omanga was gunning for the Nairobi Woman Representative in the last election but was floored by Rachael Shebesh in the Jubilee primaries. She then successfully pushed for nomination to the Senate.

She has become a magnet for controversy on personal matters – some touching on her pretty looks and plus-size body – curvy, she says.

In November last year,  she said he was proud of her curves despite the negative comments she was receiving from internet trolls.  At the time, she wrote on her Facebook page sharing a picture flaunting her curves. “Some call it Fat, Hippo, Elephant, Disability … I Love it and I am sure many like it! Am not losing an inch.”

Recently, she clashed with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino clashed on social media after the senator told the MP to respect Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, calling Babu a small boy.

But away from these controversies, Ms Omanga is an easy going lady with the plight of women at heart. On Friday last week, our writer CAVIN ODHIAMBO caught up and had a moment with her in California area in Eastleigh, where she had organsied computer training for young women in the ward, in partnership with Intel, the computer technology firm.

QUESTION: In one statement, who is Millicent Omanga.

ANSWER: A simple and down to earth  leader called to serve.

Q: How does it feel to be a senator?

A: It comes with challenges, Kenyans expects us to deliver and you can tell the pressure this comes with.

Q: Talk briefly about the  Omanga Care Initiative 

A: This is an economic empowerment program that intends to  educate women and equip them with life skills that will enable them survive in any environment.

Q: What do you expect to achieve through this initiative?

A: To have over 15,000 women economically trained and empowered within the next five years.

Q: You are hated and loved in equal measures, no?

A: This is a social media creation. As a leader, everyone has their creation and perception on you but I never take them personal.

Q: Who do you represent as a nominated senator?

A: I am a Kenyan senator, I serve Kenyans. 

Q: Do you have personal difference with Babu Owino?

A: That is a creation of the mind by people who feel I should not be where I am. Babu Owino is my best friend and a neighbour, we are in good terms both on duty and at personal level.

Q:What is your take on the Kenyan political situation.

A: Finally there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I am happy about that. The meeting of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga has set straight the record that it’s time we united and helped president Uhuru Kenyatta deliver his big Four agenda for Kenyans.

Q: What message would you send to Kenyans today?

A: We politicians are friends irrespective of where we come from. We love one another despite our political positions. I urge all Kenyans to embrace the sense of brotherhood and live together as one family.

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