Harold Kipchumba takes oath of office to replace Treasury CS John Mbadi as ODM-nominated MP at the National Assembly on July 29, 2025./PARLIAMENT PRESSHarold Kipchumba, a longtime disability rights advocate and polio survivor, was on Tuesday sworn in as a nominated Member of Parliament, officially taking over from Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
Kipchumba fills the seat under the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) category, following the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) mandate to promote inclusive and equitable representation in Parliament.
His swearing-in at the National Assembly was witnessed by fellow ODM party officials, marking a milestone for disability representation in Kenya's legislature.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the Commission acted in line with Articles 88(4), 90, and 97(1)(c) of the Constitution, and relevant provisions of the Elections Act.
The appointment reflects a legal and constitutional push to ensure all communities are represented in governance.
Kipchumba’s journey to Parliament has been anything but ordinary.
A survivor of polio, he has faced physical challenges since childhood, but that hasn’t slowed his passion for advocacy, health, and public service.
His early education began at Nyabondo Home for the Disabled before moving to Lenana School, where he was the only student with a disability in his class.
Harold Kipchumba signs documents as he replaces Treasury CS John Mbadi as ODM-nominated MP at the National Assembly on July 29, 2025./PARLIAMENT PRESSOver the years, Kipchumba has held key roles in the disability and public health sectors.
He served as a Programme Officer at the Initiative on Disability and Development and later led the Bare Care Centre, a non-profit focused on disability inclusion.
His work gained national visibility during the 2013 polio outbreak in Kenya and Somalia, where his efforts in immunisation advocacy earned him recognition.
In 2015, he was named Kenya’s UN Person of the Year for his dedication to polio eradication.
Kipchumba briefly served as a nominated senator in 2013, representing PWDs, but his tenure was cut short following a court ruling.
Despite setbacks, he has remained committed to his advocacy work. His return to Parliament is seen as a step forward in ensuring persons with disabilities have a voice in national leadership.
His nomination, however, stirred tension within the ODM Youth League.
Some members had expected ODM Youth League President John Ketora to succeed Mbadi, viewing it as an opportunity to strengthen youth representation in Parliament.
Even so, Kipchumba’s appointment is being widely celebrated as a progressive move.
His presence in Parliament brings lived experience and long-standing expertise in disability rights, promising more inclusive policymaking for the country’s often-overlooked communities.
