Until the “Black Tuesday” of September 4, 2018, Melida Auma, mother of Sharon Otieno, led a private life like any to other village woman in Homa Bay County.
On this day, news of the murder of her daughter inside Kodera Forest in Oyugis thrust her into the limelight as the family came to terms with the loss of their first-born.
Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his personal assistant Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero, a clerk in the county government, are on trial over the murder that shocked the nation.
Still crying for justice, Melida has been trying to move on with her life, albeit with difficulty, and now wants to try her hand at politics. She has trained her eyes on the Homa Bay County Woman Representative seat, a post she wants to clinch on Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
The soft-spoken mother of four is the party’s Homa Bay and Rangwe coordinator and was involved in DP Ruto’s recent tour of Migori and Nyanza—a role she claims endanger her life.
She opens up to the Nation on her political ambitions, her association with UDA and the DP, her fears, challenges and what drives her.
Why did you go into politics?
I was born into a political family. My sister-in-law, who lives in Migori, is a politician and is an aspiring MCA. Ms Agnes Awinja is the gender chief officer in Migori. I grew up with Ms Awinja and she inspires me a lot. I was also a student leader in college.
What informed your choice of a political party?
I was inspired by UDA’s bottom-up economic model, which advocates for “hustlers”. I consider myself a chief “hustler” from Homa Bay. Most Kenyans are struggling like me to earn a living.
I joined UDA because the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) frustrated me when its leadership failed to honour their promises after Sharon’s death. ODM has not fulfilled its promises made before Sharon’s burial. ODM politicians had promised not to abandon my family and Sharon’s children. They also promised legal support in Sharon’s murder case.
Governor Obado backs Dr Ruto’s presidential bid and is one of the suspects in your daughter’s murder. How comfortable are you in that camp?
My political ambition does not relate to Sharon’s death. When I joined UDA, I had no idea that Obado’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had links with Dr Ruto. And even so, that has nothing to do with me.
Do you think your move and choice of political friends could affect your daughter’s case?
Suppose my daughter died when I was a politician, does it mean my family could not have got justice? I don’t believe that by joining politics, my daughter will not get justice. If it was a politician’s daughter who died, would it mean that they relinquish their political positions? No, I don’t think so.
There is talk that some organisations paying your lawyers in the murder case are considering withdrawing their services because of your entry into politics. What’s your take on this?
My political ambitions are not in any way related to the case. My interest in politics came long before Sharon’s death. It is only that I had not declared it. My joining politics is a dream come true and I’ve no regrets. I only pray that my daughter will finally get justice and that her killers will be brought to book.
Why do you want to run?
First, it is due to public demand. People from my ward first pushed me to run as their MCA, but we later agreed that I go for the Woman Representative seat. I also want to change my life and that of my family. I want to grow economically and socially and live a better life.
Did your daughter’s death propel you to politics?
I got interested in politics long before Sharon’s death. I’m simply pursuing my dreams. I’m sure that, if Sharon were alive, she would have supported me a lot. She would have been my chief campaigner. She was my friend and I was like her elder sister. We would have done this together.
Are you confident of winning or are you just looking for money, fame and attention, as some people have alleged?
I believe I will win. In UDA, there is no money for aspirants, so there is no cash I’m after. In fact, I’ve been using my resources to campaign and I’m already doing well in grassroots mobilisation. In life, you don’t stick to one position; you embrace change. I know politics will change my life and that of my family.
What do you intend to do for the people of Homa Bay?
If elected, I will do my legislative, representation and oversight roles.
What are your frustrations?
People think UDA has money, and, therefore, have a lot of expectations. They also think the Deputy President [William Ruto] gave me money when he recently visited Homa Bay.
Some [people] have even attacked me. I had to be evacuated to safety after people demanded that I give them money, which I didn’t have. I fear for my security now. Even as I thank the Deputy President for his visit, I urge him to come back to Homa Bay to empower delegates too.
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