When MARITA MMOJI AGUFANA was appointed to serve as Vihiga County Executive Committee member, she was elated. Little did she know she was venturing in the murky waters of politics as her mother LYDIA OWANO reveals. 

Harriet James  @harriet86jim

Marita Agufana was going through her day’s work when she received a call from her cousin.

She was informed of a vacancy on the post of a County Executive Committee (CEC) in Vihiga County.

Governor Wilber Ottichilo felt that the team he had selected previously had not observed the two third gender rule and opted to look for a woman. This was in the year 2017 soon after the General Elections.

When Lydia Owano, Marita’s mother heard of her daughter’s plans to apply for the vacant post of CEC, she encouraged her. Being a staunch Christian, she also prayed about it.  

Marita quickly applied and did a phone interview with the governor who was impressed by her.

He proceeded to forward her name to the county assembly for vetting.

For two hours,  in front of observers from different parts of the county, Marita had to prove she was worth for the post. 

“She didn’t grow up in Vihiga, so the vetting was a bit tough for her. She was asked a lot of questions, some meant to determine her competency and skills,” Lydia reveals.

Stranger in the house

She finally got the job to serve as the CEC in Education, Science, Technical and Vocational training. 

People have different perceptions when it comes to political appointments.

Most of the time, people who have held these positions supported the governor in one way or another during campaigns.

But for her, it was different as she saw her governor for the first time on the day she was being sworn in. Lydia was proud that her daughter became a waziri. 

“She had never voted nor campaigned for governor Ottichilo because shehad registered as a voter in Nairobi.

He just saw that she was fit for the job and chose her. I say it’s just the favour of God,” Lydia says. 

Later on, Marita was moved to be in charge of Environment, Water, Energy and Natural Resources.

Her role involves looking at policy direction of the ministry and give direction, problem solve and help in making decisions. 

As per the constitution, she was in charge of management and general administration of the department (Ministry).

Marita’s first days were tough and rough, a baptism by fire into politics.

There was a lot of expectations with people visiting her office to request for school fees, money for funeral, and others seeking for solutions for their issues.

There were also negative comments on why she was chosen and not others. She has since learnt to ignore negativity, focus on her job and let her work speak for her. 

The fact that she never grew up in Vihiga and didn’t understand the Maragoli language though she’s Luhya, made things difficult for her. 

Rumours everywhere

“Residents said they had no idea who my daughter was. She was lashed at forums. She was insulted. Others had a lot of expectation.

Being her first time in public service, she was lost,” recalls Lydiah.

“It’s hard being a young woman in politics. Bloggers spread false claims day and night about  my daughter— how she slept with the governor to get the job, how her family blackmailed the governor for the top position, how she had a miscarriage and governor was blackmailed to cover it up.

It is sad how people can craft your story and make it believable,” she laments.

Lydia recalls how such accusations not only broke her heart, but her family. But she braved on and encouraged her daughter to continue serving the people of Vihiga. 

Born in Kijabe, Kiambu county 31 years ago, Marita grew up in different places.

Her early years were spent in Baringo, Marigat where her dad was working for Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI).

Sadly, in the year 1992, their lives took a different turn when she lost her father in a grisly road accident.

Still young, her mother went back to school (medical school) and advanced her studies to earn more money to cater for her two children. 

At this point, Marita lived with her aunt and enrolled in Musoli Girl’s Primary School in Kakamega county in 1993. 

Hard worker

They moved to Kakamega in 1996 and in 1997, she joined St Joseph’s Primary School then moved to Star Academy the same year. 

Lydia had remarried and Marita’s step dad desired that all the children from both families be in one school.

Marita is still the last born in this blended home. By 1998, her mother had completed studying clinical medicine and was posted to Kakamega.

In 2003, Marita was admitted to Butere Girls High School. 

“After her secondary education, Marita was conflicted as she desired to do a tourism course in United States International University (USIU), but she pursued Integrated Development Studies at Daystar University,” Lydia recalls. 

She worked in various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from 2014 to 2016 and particularly dealt with young people in the slums. 

By the time she was being appointed as the CEC, she had already enrolled for her Master’s in Diplomacy, Development and International Security at Daystar University in 2017.

After three years as CEC, Marita is proud of the fact that she has managed to build early childhood development classes, equipped Vocational Training Centres, manage garbage and waste collection as well as produce legislations that have been considered by the assembly for implementation.