Fredrick Odhiambo Oloo is still in shock.
Just few months ago, he was repairing shoes.
But today, the 47 year old Primary School dropout is a lawmaker.
He may not be in a position to debate in English, which is the common language in the assembly, but he says he will do what it takes to have his voice heard.
He is one of the people nominated by the ODM Party to Siaya County Assembly to represent persons with disability.
The ardent supporter of the ODM party could not hide his joy in joining the assembly.
“I’m still shocked that a cobbler who is disabled like me is now being referred to as Mheshimiwa. I cannot thank the ODM party enough,” he said.
The nomination of the skilled cobbler has amazed many who have admired the party’s effort to ensure inclusion in the county assembly.
“I’m still shocked that a cobbler who is disabled like me is now being referred to as Mheshimiwa, I cannot thank the ODM party enough”
Fredrick Odhiambo Oloo
“I’ve talked to the majority of the party leadership, and they’ve congratulated me. My friends and locals are also happy by the party’s decision,” he added.
Odhiambo, dressed in a simple attire, received news of his nomination at the assembly.
Party loyalty
He said his love and loyalty to the Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) has paid off.
“I used to encourage my customers to come out in numbers and vote for ODM candidates”
Fredrick Odhiambo
Odhiambo used his business to mobilize votes for ODM and encouraged his customers to support the movement .
He was one of the greatest mobilizers for the ODM party drumming support for Governor Orengo and other leaders.
He said; “I used to encourage my customers to come out in numbers and vote for ODM candidates.”
He has confidence that he would be able to represent the people living with disability in Siaya as he understands their challenges.
“As a nominated member of the County Assembly, I am determined to bring a ray of smiles to their faces,” Odhiambo assured.
From earning a daily wage of below Sh200 from his cobbler job, Odhiambo hopes to change his life through his newly gained position.
Who is Odhiambo?
Odhiambo hails from Masiro in East Ugenya sub-county
The father of three who lives with physical disability said due to his condition, many mocked and despised him.
With no one to support him when his parents died, he had to stop his education, then, a pupil at Sirisia School.
The Standard Seven dropout said this is when he learned the shoe mending business from a friend.
“Nobody was ready to take care of me as I was orphaned with no brother or sister. It is then that a friend taught me how to mend shoes,” he disclosed.
Odhiambo had been plying his trade at Bondo Kolalo market centre where he would earn between Sh150 to Sh200 a day.
Odhiambo who cannot communicate in English said he will debate and make laws in Kiswahili.
He was nominated alongside Dorothy Owino (Youth), Ane Wanzila Osoo (Ethnicity) and Shalom Oduor Otieno (Youth) to represent special interest group.
