Physically impaired Andrew Omwende beat all odds to the top as the Member of the County Assembly-elect in Sigomere ward, Siaya county.
Hailing from Alego Usonga Constituency, Omwende was born in 1987 without lower limbs and relies on a wheelchair to move around, but this did not deter him from the MCA battle against his four abled opponents.
He made his first appearance in politics in 2007 when he contested in the local council elections but recorded poor performance. However, he never gave up, he again in 2013 vied for the MCA seat in the same ward where he was lucky to be elected.
In 2017 he lost the seat which he has now reclaimed five years later thrashing four other candidates.
Born without lower limbs, Omwende faced difficulties while rallying his constituency supporters. He relies on a wheelchair to move around and carry out his campaign.
The physically impaired MCA elected on an ODM ticket said that it was not an easy journey clinching the ward top seat. Despite the challenge, it did not bar him from venturing into politics.
The father of three says his family played a huge role in keeping him afloat in the turbulent sea of politics.
To Omwende it was to prove a point to those that had challenged him and indeed he is a living testimony that persons with disabilities are not limited to participate in politics.
BY KEVIN WASWA