Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has reflected on the events leading up to his election in the 2022 general elections.
In a post on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Salasya shared a photo of himself with his lawyer and other individuals outside a police station, recalling how he was released just one month before he became a Member of Parliament. He explained that he had been arrested for standing up for farmers in his constituency.
“This was exactly one month before I became Member of Parliament for Mumias East Constituency,” Salasya shared.
He described how his lawyer, Ken Echesa, had secured his release from Mumias Police Station, where he had been held on what he described as false charges. Salasya said the charges stemmed from his efforts to defend local farmers.
“With my lawyer Ken Echesa, who had just secured my release from Mumias Police station where I had been detained for trumped-up charges of inciting farmers against West Kenya,” Salasya stated.
Despite the challenges, Salasya won the election and became the Member of Parliament for Mumias East.
The rise of Salasya
The popular legislator recently shared a story about his humble beginnings. On August 10, 2024, the MP posted a picture of a simple house that he said belonged to his mother and twin siblings just two years ago, before he rose to political prominence.
In his post, Salasya shared that his own living conditions were quite challenging during that time. His house lacked basic amenities like windows and proper ventilation, and he did not even have a bed, often sleeping on the floor.
The lawmaker, who gained political fame after winning a parliamentary seat under the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), also shared an image of a double-cabin pickup truck he had been given by DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa for his campaign. In the background of the image, the modest home of his mother is visible, though he noted that the house where he used to sleep is not in the picture because it was located a bit further away.
“Hapa ndio ilikuwa nyumbani and our house two years ago .That house is ours belonging to my mother and my twin brother and sister wenye wananifuata yani our last born ndio walikuwa wanalala hapo kangu kako chini kidogo hakakuwa hata na dirisha na sikuwa na kitanda nilikuwa nalala chini true story .Indeed no one should lose hope in life,” Salasya shared.
Salasya encouraged Kenyans to remain hopeful and persistent, reminding them that anything is possible with determination and faith. He urged them to believe in God, work hard, and make sacrifices, assuring them that their efforts could lead to significant improvements in their lives, just as his career has transformed his circumstances.
“Anything is possible just keep trying and being hopeful. You are going to change your home through your career or business you are chasing today. God is faithful just believe him in your heart and work hard and sacrifice what we call foregone cost opportunities in business studies,” he added.
Salasya has since built a modern house for himself, his mother, and his siblings in their rural home in Mumias East Sub-County, Kakamega County. Before constructing the modern home, his constituents helped him build a semi-permanent house, which he later upgraded.