Naisula Lesuuda Explained

Naisula Josephine Lesuuda (born 30 April 1984), is a Kenyan politician and women's rights activist. She is a Member of the Parliament of Kenya.

Early life and education

Lesuuda was born in Samburu on 30 April 1984,[1] the first of three children born to an Anglican bishop and a businesswoman.[2] She graduated from Daystar University with a degree in communications and community development.[1] [2]

Career

Lesuuda worked as a journalist at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, including hosting Good Morning Kenya. In 2009, after ten people were killed in cattle rustling in Laikipia, she became a founding member of the Laikipia Peace Caravan.[3] [1] [4] This in turn led to the founding of a number of other local peace organisations, supported by the Kenya government and USAid.[3] In 2010, her work with this organisation led to her becoming the youngest Kenyan woman to win the presidential Order of the Grand Warrior.[3] [5]

In 2013, Lesuuda left her job to found the Naisula Lesuuda Peace Foundation which advocates for the education of girls and for the eradication of female genital mutilation and child marriage.[6] [3]

Lesuuda participated in President Uhuru Kenyatta's campaign in 2013, and was then nominated on his TNA party ticket to represent Samburu County in the Senate in 2013, becoming its youngest female member.[7] She was then elected Vice Chair of the Kenyan Women's Parliamentary Association.

In 2016, she announced that she would leave the Senate to seek election as a member of the National Assembly for Samburu West,[8] then in 2017 switching from the Jubilee to KANU party.[9] [10] She has maintained her support for Kenyatta.[7]

At the 2017 election, Lesuuda was elected with 14,560 votes, defeating incumbent Jonathan Lelelit who received 13,970 votes,[11] becoming the first female member of parliament for the constituency.[12] When parliament sat in August 2017, she announced her intention to apply for the position of Deputy Speaker, but failed to submit her application before the vote.[13] [14]

She was re-elected in Samburu West Constituency at the 2022 general election.

Awards and honours

Personal life

Lesuuda is married, and has 2 daughters.].[2] [16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Naisula Lesuuda Biography and Profile. Soft Kenya. 15 July 2017.
  2. Web site: EXPOSED: LEAKED SEXY WHATSAPP Chat Between Hon Murkomen and Senator Naisula Lesuuda. Kenya Today. 17 March 2017. 15 July 2017.
  3. Web site: Her cause captured Kibaki's eye. Standard. 13 May 2012. 15 July 2017. Kenfrey. Keberenge.
  4. Book: Njogu, Kimani. 162. Youth and Peaceful Elections in Kenya. African Books Collective. 2013. 9789966028372.
  5. Web site: Senator at 30: Kenya's Naisula Lesuuda is Breaking Boundaries and Advocating for the Girl-Child. Jennifer. Nkem-Eneanya. Konnect Africa. 27 May 2015. 15 July 2017.
  6. Web site: Meet Naisula Lesuuda, the youngest female member of the Kenyan Senate at age 30!. 26 January 2017. 15 July 2017. Leading Ladies Africa. Adedoyin. Jaiyesimi.
  7. Web site: Nominated women senators now seek various elective positions. Daily Nation. 29 June 2017. 15 July 2017. Ibrahim. Oruko. Njeri. Rugene.
  8. Web site: Senator Naisula 'ready to challenge men for MP in 2017'. The Star. Martin. Fundi. 5 September 2016. 15 July 2017.
  9. Web site: Senator Naisula Lesuuda ditches Jubilee for Kanu. William. Mwangi. 12 March 2017. 15 July 2017. The Star.
  10. Web site: Senator Naisula Lesuuda Defects from Jubilee to Kanu as she vies for Samburu West MP. Tony. Mukere. 13 March 2017. 15 July 2017. Kenyas.co.ke.
  11. Web site: [VIDEO] Lesuuda floors heavyweight Lelelit in Samburu West MP race]. 10 August 2017. 31 August 2017. THe Star. Martin. Fundi.
  12. Web site: Mother beats son in Bomet East. Rose. Welimo. Collins. Anampiu. KBC. 10 August 2017. 31 August 2017.
  13. Web site: Lesuuda guns for Deputy Speaker seat as Parliament opens. Vidija. Patrick. The Star. 25 August 2017. 31 August 2017.
  14. Web site: Three cleared to vie for National Assembly speaker position. KBC. Kabasa. Edward. 29 August 2017. 31 August 2017.
  15. Web site: The 20 Youngest Power Women In Africa 2014. Forbes. 4 December 2014. 15 July 2017. Mfonobong. Nsehe.
  16. Web site: Kenyans EXPLODE after Murkomen-Lesuda love affair is exposed. Samuel. Karanja. 18 March 2017. 15 July 2017. Tuko.

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