At Kabartonjo market in Baringo County, one vendor stands out — not because of what she sells, but because of who she is. Julia Kumbelel, a nominated Member of the County Assembly (MCA), is as much a leader as she is a ‘mama mboga’.
While many would have abandoned the grocery business after joining politics, Julia has chosen to keep her stall open. For three days each week, she takes her seat at the county assembly.
The rest of the time, she is back at her grocery shop, where she serves her customers with the same dedication she gives to her constituents.
Julia dropped out of school after completing her Class Eight exams.
That chance first appeared in 2017 when a friend encouraged her to seek nomination under the Jubilee Party.
Julia was shortlisted twice for nomination, each time raising her hopes, only to face the heartbreak of being dropped from the final list.
Julia Kumbelel Chance at Politics
Five years later, Julia’s hopes were reignited by President William Ruto’s campaign. His bottom-up economic agenda carried a message that resonated with her. By pledging to uplift boda boda riders, small-scale traders, and mama mbogas, Ruto offered a vision in which Julia saw herself included.
Under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Julia applied once more for nomination to the county assembly.
Her persistence finally paid off. When the final list of nominees was published, her name appeared among the 18 nominated MCAs for Baringo County under the women’s category.
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Her Role in the County Govt
At the county assembly, she was part of a team tasked with advising the County Government on disaster risk management.
Their responsibilities included formulating county disaster risk management plans and policies in line with the national framework, promoting civic education and public awareness, training and capacity building, as well as overseeing disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery measures.
She attends assembly sessions from Tuesday to Thursday. On the remaining days, she returns to Kabartonjo market, where she attends to her grocery shop.
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Hand of Compassion
Beyond her stall and assembly duties, Julia has also invested in empowering the very groups she represents.
In Kabartonjo town, she recently handed over empowerment items to youth, women, and persons with disabilities, helping them take practical steps toward meeting their needs and building livelihoods.
She leads a group of over 100 women known as the Vision Group.
Her story is not just one of political victory but of resilience and balance, a reminder that leadership can emerge from humble beginnings.
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