Huldah Momanyi becomes first Kenyan-born politician in U.S. history

Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley. (Courtesy)

Kenyan-American Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley made history as the first Kenyan-born politician to secure a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

She won with 64.78% of the vote, representing District 38A, which includes parts of Brooklyn Park and Osseo. Hiltsley ran under the Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) Party.

District 38A is a diverse area, with about 66% of its residents identifying as people of colour, many of whom are African immigrants. Hiltsley, who graduated from Bethel University, said she entered politics to uplift her community.

She wants to focus on affordable housing, equitable access to education and healthcare, and creating economic opportunities for the area’s diverse population.

In her victory speech, Hiltsley expressed her gratitude to her family. She thanked her husband, Mr. Ondieki, and their children, noting that her work is for their future. She also honoured her parents, who moved to the U.S. from Kenya, and credited their sacrifices for her commitment to public service.

“First, I want to thank my incredible family, my husband Mr. Ondieki, my unwavering partner in this life. We just celebrated 10 years of marriage this year. Thank you for your endless support, encouragement, and patience,” she began. “And to our amazing children, thank you for your love. I am doing this for you guys and your future.”

She continued, “I also want to honour my parents, who have been a source of courage and resilience throughout my entire life. For those of you who know our immigration story, our journey to this country shaped my identity and purpose. My parents sacrificed so much to give us the opportunity to pursue our dreams. It is because of their hope and strength that I stand here, so proud to be a daughter of Kenyan immigrants.”

Huldah also addressed her Kenyan community both in the U.S. and worldwide, expressing pride in her heritage and highlighting the significance of her win.

“To my Kenyan community, here and around the world, I stand here as the first Kenyan-born person ever elected in an office in the United States. This victory is not just mine, but belongs to all of us. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of immigrants. This moment has proved that dreams know no bounds and that when we work together, guess what? We make history.”

She thanked her supporters and voters, saying she would always listen to their concerns and work for the community's future.

“To my supporters and voters, thank you for believing in me and our shared vision. Thank you for putting your trust in me to represent this district. And now, as your representative, you can expect that my door will always be open. I promise to listen and advocate not just on issues that matter today but for the future we envision together.”

Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate Hiltsley’s victory. “Congratulations to Kenyan-born American Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley for making history by winning a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives,” Passaris wrote. “The first Kenyan-born individual to be elected to office in the entire United States! Born in Nyamira County in 1985 and moved to the United States at the age of nine. Your historic win is indeed a source of pride for Kenya and a testament to the achievements of the Kenyan diaspora in the United States.”

Huldah was born in Nyamira County, Kenya, in 1985, and moved to the United States with her family when she was nine. She later earned a Master’s degree from Bethel University in Minnesota.

In a previous interview with Voice of America’s Abdushakur Aboud, Huldah spoke about the differences between U.S. and Kenyan politics. She observed that in Kenya, candidates often pay voters, while in the U.S., candidates must work hard to earn voter support through their policies and actions.

“I do pay attention to how Kenyan politics are run. The biggest difference is that in Kenya, candidates often buy votes, and that's something Kenya needs to address,” Huldah explained. “But here in the U.S., you have to go to voters and ask for their support. You literally have to go door to door, making sure you’re communicating your message to the constituency.”