26-year-old nominated MP promises to champion youth agenda

When MPs took the oath of office on Thursday last week in the National Assembly, 26-year-old Umulkheir Harun was among them.

She was nominated by ODM party to represent the youth in the National Assembly becoming the second youngest MP in the august House.

“I took oath of office to represent important constituents of this great nation. May Allah guide me for I know the task ahead. Much appreciation to everyone who held my hand and my party. I am looking forward to serving with utmost diligence and honour inshallah,” she said.

“I want to take this earliest opportunity to sincerely thank my party ODM led the right Honourable Raila Odinga for nominating me. He truly believes in giving the youth an opportunity to lead."

Normally political parties are known to use the  nomination slots to reward their cronies.

But it is no mean feat for a 26-year-old lady from the southern part of Garissa county in Northern Kenya to get to that level where she is considered for nomination by one of the giant political parties.

In an interview with the Star being sworn in, ‘Umi’ as she is commonly referred to by family and close friends, said that hers has been a story of resilience, determination, discipline  and hard work.

She said the virtues were instilled in her from a young age by her parents.

Umulkher is the second born daughter to former Garissa High School principal Harun Mohamed.

She is also the founder of Kesho Alliance — an NGO that she started in 2015.

The organisation seeks to improve education by promoting and advocating access to quality education.

It also promotes youth and women empowerment and peace and security through partnerships in marginalised areas.

She said that it was her work at the organisation that tossed her to the world of leadership since it has allowed her to work with young people across Kenya through building of networks and exchanging ideas.

The Alliance High alumnus said joining the prestigious school gave her the opportunity to interact with fellow students from all over the country and widened her scope of dreaming and imagining a great future ahead.

“I exposed myself to school debates and found myself interested in the school politics. I was driven to being in leadership space that is when teachers asked me what I want to do and I said I want to be in politics," she said.

She said that she tossed herself into the world of leadership in 2019 when a local news agency announced a competition dubbed ‘Miss President’.

The series showcased intelligent and articulate women who are 'Presidential' with the aim of increasing the chances of women in Kenya taking up leadership positions. She come second.

Umulker, who studied computer science at university, said she also intends to amplify and address the inequalities in education and propose bills that create opportunities for youth.

(edited by Amol Awuor)