They will know me for my passion and commitment to disability rights.
Millicent Juma, now a permanent resident of Siaya County, had to relocate from Nairobi to make her mark in championing the rights of persons with disabilities.
Born and raised in Nairobi’s Eastlands, Makadara Constituency, Millicent had a fairly normal upbringing. She was one of the brightest students in her community and a gifted debater. She envisioned a future as a legislator, a dream she later pursued, one that changed her life.
Ms. Juma, a mother and woman with a disability, has defied the odds to become a force to reckon with as an advocate for disability rights.
While sitting for her O-level exams, Millicent lost her father, who was the sole breadwinner of her family. His demise meant that her academic journey was going to be cut off. Due to her resilience and strong will, she stepped up for her siblings without having a firm foundation of her own.
Later on, in 2017, her unwavering determination and passion pushed her into politics. Millicent took a big leap of faith and sought nomination through the Orange Democratic Party to represent Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in Siaya County.
Despite her extensive advocacy work in Nairobi and Machakos County, she had never been in Saiya for more than a month. This did not deter her ambitions.
As they say, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Millicent was selected to be a nominated member of the County Assembly in Siaya.
“I was in Siaya before the swearing in and was even given a tour of the county assembly,” she says.
However, everything changed on the eve of the swearing-in. She was dropped from the list and Millicent could not believe it until her name was not called on the day of swearing in. The PWD community in Siaya protested her nomination, claiming that they did not know her.
At that moment she made a resolve: They will know me for my passion and commitment to disability rights. She then made the bold move to relocate to Siaya.
To Millicent, leadership is not about having all the answers but about guiding and creating inclusive solutions. She believes in empowering others, fostering unity, and providing an environment where ideas can flourish.
She has made a significant contribution to organising PWDs in Siaya. In 2022 she noticed that those living in the southeast region lacked organised groups and support systems. She trained them on their rights, encouraged them to register with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), and also trained them on economic empowerment.
One of her outstanding achievements was organising Siaya’s first-ever beauty pageant for persons with disabilities through her outfit, Friends of Siaya Disability Organisation.
“As a founding member of Friends of Siaya Disability Organisation, I have led in advocacy for the rights of PWDs and for women in leadership,” she says.
Though she has yet to pursue formal higher education as she desires, Millicent has taken various courses in human rights advocacy, project management, and leadership. These skills have been vital in the establishment and steady growth of the Friends of Siaya Disability Organisation.
Millicent is also an entrepreneur. Through her enterprise, Mellazar Crafts Agency, she produces and sells handcrafted items while providing a marketplace for other artisans.
“Sometimes you would meet me wearing my handmade clothes and accessories,” she says.
Ms. Juma loves education and being a change agent, which led her to establish a community school in her village.
Millicent envisions a world where people, regardless of their background, have access to opportunities that align with their aspirations. She dreams of a self-reliant, informed, and resilient community where individuals have the freedom of choice.
Her next step is to secure a larger platform to address critical community issues education, health, and economic empowerment. She plans to achieve this by engaging communities, organising sensitisation forums, and fostering partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
