Mary Ndinda is probably one of Kenya’s most traveled evangelists. She has been across the world to far flung countries such as Germany, Iran, and United States of America and near home to South Africa and Swaziland, in her quest to spread God’s gospel. Literally, Mary has been around the world. She is a pastor at Redeemed Gospel Church in Njiru.

Apart from preaching God’s word, Ms. Ndinda is a philanthropist running Rhema Rehabilitation Center in Njiru, where she takes care of orphans and vulnerable children. This goal, she achieves with the support from World Vision Kenya who have been keen at ensuring that the children are put to school.
 
Today, the Machakos born lady has offered herself to contest the Kasarani parliamentary seat on an ODM -Kenya ticket. She will be battling it out with over ten other aspirants. The mother of four, Ms. Ndinda attended Muthini Primary school and later Mananja Primary school where she sat her primary level examination before joining Mbooni Girls where she attended her form one to four and later joined Sironga Girls for her a “A” level in late 70s.

In 1980 she was employed at Ministry of Planning and National Development as a field enumerator. While in her employment, she took up a Diploma in Theology training course at Deliverance Bible Training College in Nairobi’s Eastleigh. On this course, she says, “this training opened up my yearning for further education; I later enrolled at Daystar University for a degree course in counseling. I am grateful to Deliverance Church for offering to pay for my course.” in 1996 she graduated with a degree in counseling.

Now, Ms. Ndinda’s has her eyes focused on representing the people of Kasarani at the National Assembly. Her agenda includes carrying on with her activities of helping the poor children in the community access education as well continue with the work she has been doing sine 1999 of providing home- based care for Aids orphaned children.

Her organisation has also been instrumental in offering women with opportunities for gainful entrepreneurship. “We started a craft workshop where women do embroidery work including creating ornamental wares which we sell locally but most of it we export to South Africa. The programme supports youths and women in the constituency.” She says.

Apart from being motivated by desire to change the lives of people in Kasarani, Ndinda attributes her decision to vie in Kasarani to her aunt Betty Nziau who was a councilor in Machakos town between 1965 and early 90s when she died. On Betty, Ndinda says, “I grew up in her hands and admired the way she conducted her affairs, especially the way she handled her political affairs. She was so inspirational and a great part of her lifestyle has shaped immensely what I am today.”
Why Kasarani?

On her choice for Kasarani constituency, she says, “I chose Kasarani as a matter of strategy. I have lived in the constituency for the last 18 years. I know the locals and they know me too. The people here (Kasarani) have known me ever since I was a mere nothing.”

The pertinent issues that need be addressed in the area, according to Ndinda, include building more schools “especially secondary schools.” Kasarani, Ndinda says requires more government hospitals as well as tackling the issue of hygiene in the area. “Most of the settlements in the area are poorly lit and suffer poor sanitation which has constantly led to outbreaks of waterborne diseases including cholera and typhoid.

As a first time aspirant, she is vowing to uphold peaceful elections campaigns: “I am campaigning on the platform for peace and unity. My campaigns have concentrated extensively on a door to door strategy. I am striving to give it a personal touch by getting to people from where they are. Occasionally I get to do a few road shows here and there.”

But where exactly does she get her funding for the campaigns from? “I have held a fundraising dinner party in the past.  My campaigns are also funded from my savings and monies from my business enterprises and from family and friends.”

Why ODM –Kenya?

“I settled on ODM-Kenya because of its affirmative action for women, it is actually the party with the highest number of women aspirants in the country. The party is also Christian oriented and upholds the doctrines of Christianity.”

Ndinda says women have achieved a great deal in terms of fronting course for gender equality and that she looks up to “women like Charity Ngilu and Julia Ojiambo with a lot of admiration. They’ve been my inspiration.” She says.

Apart from Hon. Ngilu and Julia, the other people who have inspired her, she says are her four children whom she describes as formidable throughout her campaign process. “They have stood by me against all odds. I am particularly grateful to my first born daughter for soliciting the youth votes for me. I wish her good health a great future a head.”