MY STORY: Born to lead

National General Elections for 8th August 2017 Independent Presidential Candidate Running Mate, Miriam Mutua. PHOTO| CHRIS OMOLLO

What you need to know:

  • Miriam is a mother of two teenagers. She was born in the “early seventies” in Ndalani, a sleepy village in Yatta County.
  • She graduated then interned with an NGO before getting a permanent job as a researcher with the Population Council.
  • Even this position I am in right now – as a running mate – is because of my parents. Not many women want to do this, they shy away from it.

This isn’t the first General Election where Miriam Mutua is taking a stab at leadership. In 2013, she was the running mate for Nairobi governor aspirant Eric Mokua.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t go far with him,” she says. “I was disqualified as Eric’s running mate because I was registered to vote in my home county in Yatta, not in Nairobi. I got connected to Eric through business associates who believed in my ability to be a leader.”
This unwavering belief is what earned her the position as Prof. Michael Wainana’s running mate in this year’s General Election. He is running on an independent ticket.

“My contact told me that Prof Wainana preferred a woman for a running mate,” says Miriam. “I had four phone interviews with his team before I spoke to Professor himself. Surprisingly, I felt us click immediately; I knew I’d be comfortable working with him. We met a week after that first conversation.” Chuckling, Miriam adds, “I didn’t expect him to be so young! He was intelligent and polished. He told me what he wants to do for this country, and he was consistent with his school of thought. I could tell he was unmoved by wealth and power.”
A LEADER’S ROOTS
Miriam is a mother of two teenagers. She was born in the “early seventies” in Ndalani, a sleepy village in Yatta County. She is the only girl in a family of nine boys, and the second- to-last of the 10.
Miriam was raised in Eldoret by her eldest brother and his wife, who were prominent business people there. She grew up knowing that they were her parents, and that her biological parents in Ndalani were her grandparents.

“I was told that I was a very sick baby,” she says. “My brother took me to hospital and after I got well, he adopted me officially. I find it funny saying he’s my brother. He’s still my Dad, and she’s my Mum.”
Miriam’s went to school in Eldoret; she relocated to Nairobi and to Daystar University for her undergraduate degree. She did a double major in business administration and education, I ask Miriam what she learned about herself during her four years in university. Miriam exhales as she thinks.

“I discovered myself. I realised I had leadership qualities. OK, they had already been identified in high school; I had the confidence to stand in front of a multitude of people and speak. Oh, and I loved to sing!” Miriam smiles.

“I used to represent our school in the district festivals and represent our province at National Festivals. I sang solos at KICC and won.” Miriam beams at the memory. “Singing was in my family. My dad used to be a church elder and me and my sisters were known as the ‘Mully Girls’. I sang in the choir at Daystar, and nurtured my leadership skills through campus forums.”
PARENTS MUST BELIEVE IN THEIR CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW
Miriam graduated then interned with an NGO before getting a permanent job as a researcher with the Population Council.

“My job was to travel to clinics around Kenya collecting data,” she says. “My favourite town was Nyeri because it was green and cold and the people there love development.” She continues, “I built my communications skills here because I was talking to people all day. I also learned to appreciate women because I could see them suffering. Men would be out doing their own things and the women would wait at the clinic for many hours to get family planning. Women need understanding, care and compassion.”
Miriam worked with the Council for three years. She had her daughter then took a career break to tend to her. Miriam returned to work when her daughter started kindergarten.

“I worked at Mully’s Children’s Home, owned by my dad. I worked at the head office, as a coordinator for the children’s education programme.”
Miriam stayed on until she had her second child, a son. She left Mully’s to start a tours and travels company, then a pharmaceuticals company. I ask her why she chose to get into this line of unfamiliar business.

“I’m adventurous,” she giggles, “and anything I think of doing, I put in my best and pursue it and do it very well. My zeal, my self-belief... My parents believed in us so much when we were growing up.” She pushes hair out of her face. “Parents must believe in their children for tomorrow. Because when you believe that your child can do things that other people can’t do, they will. Even this position I am in right now – as a running mate – is because of my parents. Not many women want to do this, they shy away from it.”
2007/08 post-poll violence and other management hurdles had her shut down both businesses after four years.

“I got into real estate development,” she says. “All the while I’d been working and doing business, I was also the chairperson of different NGOs that belonged to different people I know. It’s my leadership qualities that got me these positions.”
Miriam underscores, “Anytime you are given a job or assignment, do it to your best. That could be your interview and you don’t know. People are watching you, people are listening.”
If Prof Wainana doesn’t clinch the victory in this election, Miriam says, “The mission to serve and to lead the people of Kenya will not end there. I will lead in whichever position I will be in.”