Juma Boy: Senator who captivated his audience with fine, poetic Kiswahili

Juma Boy. (Courtesy)

Juma Boy was a notable figure in the Kenyan political landscape, and is still remembered for exhibiting unique characteristics and significant accomplishments in his political career.

He was born in 1952 in Mombasa and attended the prestigious Aga Khan School for both his primary and secondary education. He then proceeded to Jabalpur University in India where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

On returning to Kenya, Juma Boy engaged in car sales, clearing and forwarding, and property agency businesses within the coastal region.

In 2002, he vied for the Matuga Constituency Member of Parliament seat in the then Kwale District but failed.  He retreated back to his businesses until 2013 when ran for the Senate under the ODM party and won. He served in this position until the time of his demise.

In the Senate, he served in various committees including Land, Environment and Natural Resources, Livestock and Fisheries, Agriculture and Information and Technology dockets.

While serving as a senator, Juma Boy was celebrated for his powerful oratory skills and fluent, eloquent Swahili language. He always captivated his audience with his fluency when speaking Kiswahili. His fluency and public speaking skills solidified his reputation as an influential figure in the Senate.  

Juma Boy’s eloquence emanated from his background in theatre. He starred in Kinjekitile, a Swahili play written and produced by Ebrahim Hussein during his time in school.

His experience in theatre contributed significantly to his expressive and charismatic speaking style. He later employed this communication mastery effectively in political situations such as when challenging unfavourable government policies and advocating for his constituencies.

Juma Boy died in 2018 while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi Hospital. He had suddenly fallen sick at his home in Mombasa.