News Break
Kenya’s top Ms President finalist Umulkheir Mohammed has sent tongues wagging in political circles in Garissa County after she held talks with ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna at Orange House in Nairobi.
Ms. Mohamed popularly known as Umi tweeted “Courtesy call to @The ODMparty @Edwinsifuna. It was a pleasure having a discussion with you on how to create platforms for women in politics especially in ASAL counties. One of the agendas of #MsPresident was to create opportunities for Women Leadership. @Media_Focus @KeruRael”.
In her twenties, Ms.Mohamed popularly known as Umi is one of the most prominent young female personalities from Norther Kenya and has been cited by various leaders including Governors of Garissa and Wajir as a role model for the youth from the previously marginalized region. With this prominence, Umi is highly expected to vie for a political seat come the year 2022 and her meeting with the ODM Secretary General has enhanced the suspicion of her ambition.
Umi who comes from Ijara Constituency in Garissa, rose to prominence in 2019 when she participated and won 2nd place in the inaugural ‘Ms. President’ reality show on KTN TV funded by the European Union with additional support from the High Commission of Canada and Hivos East Africa. She studied Applied Computer Technology at USIU-Africa and is also the founder of the Kesho Alliance Organization, a non-profit fighting for quality education and advocacy, especially for young women in Northeastern Kenya-Garissa.
The Kesho Alliance pioneered Student to Student Sponsorship (S2S), providing financial assistance and mentorship to students in need. Funded by students for students, the goal of S2S is to offer bursaries for girls from low-income families and to instill a sense of responsibility among youth.
The show was aimed at challenging stereotypes and growing support for women vying for leadership positions by changing the perceptions of women in leadership. The show has empowered women to become key players in preventing the spread of violent extremism and radicalization. It continues to strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of civil society actors and media practitioners to prevent violence against women and protect human rights.
Just last week, Umi was one of the international speakers at the Global Peace Leadership Africa Virtual Conference organized by the Global Peace Foundation, the Standard Group and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission.
