Kenyan-born US politician Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley, who was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in November, has asked Kenyan women to be resilient in their pursuit of elective leadership positions.

Speaking during a dinner attended by women professionals in Kisii on Sunday, Momanyi said no barrier is insurmountable if they stayed on the course.

“Before I won in the November elections, I had previously lost and the loss prepared me for the win that we are now celebrating,” Momanyi said, adding that she learned how to create and nurture relationships, while at the same time strategizing and managing her campaign.

For women to succeed in politics, she said, they must create and nurture networks, and champion the interests of their communities.

Momanyi advised women to change their mind-sets, encouraging them to be consistent in whatever they undertake to make their communities better.

“Together we can bring change in the political space,” she told the over 200 women in attendance.

Momanyi, who traces her roots to Nyamemiso village in neighbouring Nyamira County, told women to mind their mental health, adding that the fight against gender-based violence continues.

“There is a need for a collective change of mind-set today to prevent violence tomorrow,” she said.

The politician asked Kenyan communities to protect and nurture their culture as it was their identity and they should be proud of it.

“We must be intentional about what we are teaching our children, otherwise we will lose our culture,” Momanyi said.

The politician noted that although her family moved to the United States when she was nine years old, they have never shunned their culture, including the Ekegusii language.

“My sister, who was born in the US, speaks Ekegusii and that’s true for my children,” said Momanyi, who was accompanied by her husband Hitlsley.

Earlier on Sunday, Momanyi attended a football match between Shabana FC and KCB FC at Gusii Stadium. In the match, the home team trashed KCB 2-0.

Momanyi arrived in Kenya late last week, and has been attending various activities including a homecoming/thanksgiving party at Nyambaria High School.

Momanyi made history on November 5 by becoming the first Kenyan-born woman to be elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. She describes her victory as a testament to resilience and determination, saying she had achieved her American dream.

She is expected to return to the US soon.

Elected on a Farmer-Labour Party ticket, Momanyi will represent District 38A in Minnesota’s state legislature.