SHE may pass for another ordinary woman in a town street. She looks simple, down – to earth and non-assuming. She is not accustomed to the eye – catching, easy - rolling gaits familiar with most urban women. Simplicity, plain simplicity is her way of life

But behind Mrs. Peris Chepchumba Simam’s simple appearance is such a store of wisdom and intellect, which is quite noticeable and impressive. A first encounter with her gets one struck with her eloquence, kind – heartedness, humanity and love for people. She is as cool as a placid cove but as vibrant as a boat caught up in a violent storm.

Now, Simam has metamorphosed into a politician through hard work and endurance. She, with the people’s support has been catapulted into the new breed of determined and courageous women who are aspiring for parliamentary positions in the next parliament.

Simam is the Eldoret South Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominee, having trounced eleven men including the then incumbent David Koros, who had lined up against her in the just – ended nominations.

She polled 7,025 votes, while Koros who was her closest rival, polled 5,401. Simam will be facing Koros again during the December 27 General elections since the latter has since defected to the Kalonzo - Musyoka led ODM- Kenya under which party he will be seeking to recapture his seat.

Back to Mrs. Simam – a brave and composed woman whose resolve appears to get strengthened by the day, her imminent entry into parliament will be the realization of a dream she has always nurtured.  She epitomizes bravery among women fighting for their rights and those of others in the country.

Simam was a teacher before turning to politics. She taught for fifteen years at the Burnt – Forest located Arnersens secondary school and through her, scores of students managed to secure responsible positions in the society.

A God fearing leader, Simam was born in 1968 at Kapkoi in Eldoret South of the Uasin- Gishu district, being the seventh child of Mr. Hosea Birgen.

She attended Assuriet primary school from standard one and later transferred to Kapkoi primary school in the same class and completed standard seven in 1982, where she sat for her C.P.E and joined Turbo Girls for her ‘O’ levels. She obtained division three. She then proceeded for her ‘A’ levels at Bishop Njenga Girls High School, where she sat for her Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education and passed with two principals and one Subsidiary.

Simam later joined Moi Teachers College in Eldoret for a Diploma in Education Science, and subsequently joined Kenyatta University for a Bachelor of Education Science.

She is married to Enock Simam and the couple has been blessed with three children – Luke, Laurine and Linus.

In 1989, Mrs. Simam taught as an untrained teacher at Ngeria Secondary School for a month. After graduating from college, she taught as a trained teacher at Kipsigak High School, North Nandi district in 1991, and later transferred to Arnersens High School, from where she taught for the last fifteen years, serving in different positions like class teacher, head of department in guidance and counseling.  She was also a patron of scouts at her former school.

During a recent lengthy interview with The people Daily, Simam told of how, through stupendous courage, vigor and vitality, managed to overcome the stigma of gender discrimination during the concluded nominations.
However, she managed to sail through and floored eleven men, getting tops and becoming the Eldoret South ODM parliamentary nominee.

“ It was no mean task. I had to persevere a lot of things. My male political rivals were insisting that it were better for them to be trounced by a fellow man but not a woman.
To me, I felt this was demeaning since it was gender discrimination. However, I vowed not to get discouraged but to move on and on and on, in the face of the dehumanizing caprices that stood my way,” Simam recalls, her focused eyes narrowed into sharp, little slits.

The lady politician told this writer that she is confident of clinching the Eldoret South parliamentary seat, owing to the massive support and good will she is currently enjoying from her constituents and the fact that the area has a predominantly ODM following.

What actually motivated Simam to join politics?
She reveals that she got disheartened by the way men were mistreating their wives by making them till their farms tirelessly, after which they would come and reap from their wives sweat by pocketing all the proceeds accruing from sale of the farms produce. Most of the men would even burn all the money in the bottle, she lamented.

Simam explains that she was concerned by the realization that men were merely out to exploit women, as most of them believed that a woman’s place was in the kitchen. But Simam was totally against a male chauvinistic society and felt that women did need liberation from the “mind – boggling” male dominance.

“ I felt I should join politics so that I could champion the cause of women through an elective forum. And besides, I was already creating awareness among women by advising them on the need to empower themselves economically through the initiation of self- help groups,” She says.

Simam was also disturbed by the wave of the youth indulgence in drugs and alcohol abuse which forced her to embark on a mission of dissuading them against amorous behavior, particularly when she was on vacation as a High School teacher or in the evenings after teaching.

“I did feel that I had the responsibility of moulding the youth into responsible citizens so that they do not wander aimlessly in the wilderness. I will pursue this mission endlessly in parliament if I am elected as the Eldoret South MP”, She says, eyes bearing that far - away look, obviously indicating that her mind was exploring deeper levels of thought.

What are her achievements?

“I have initiated a Micro-Finance institution (VISION RURAL NETWORK) based in North – Rift with my friends which has assisted a number of women (over 3000) to transform their economic background and has reduced the poverty index in the region by the remarkable margin. The Micro finance has a capital base over 10 million shillings”. She says.

She continues:
“I am blessed to be the organisations chief executive officer (C.E.O) as well as Board member, which has assisted in informing other N.G.Os in the region. I am also serving as a committee member of the North Rift N.G.Os council. This has also created employment for the youth. I do serve as well as a Secretary of the Cheptiret Women Group”.

 

What is her Vision?
To make Eldoret South Constituency one of the most developed, respected and admirable constituency in the country in the near future, She states plainly.

And what is her Mission?

To provide quality servants hood leadership in managing resources wisely, fairly and ensuring equal distribution of opportunities and resources to all constituents, Simam hastens to add.

And what are her policies?

To utilize CDF in prioritized projects as per village decision without her interference, to give a free hand in each village in choosing the committees running the developments and to shop for international N.G.Os and well wishers to fund crucial projects, reducing and eradicating poverty levels in the constituency.

She also seeks to prioritize security for all irrespective of political affiliation, tribe and religious orientation for faster development in the constituency.

Simam also wants to sign a memorandum of agreement with the government forests areas on the need of exploiting the shamba system issue to empower the locals economically. She is targeting the Chereber, Matharu, and Timboroa forests in Uasin – Gishu districts.

The politician is also eager to establish continuing training programs for the community and fight for the empowerment of farmers, artisans, teachers and others.
 
 What is her youth agenda?

“To fully recognize the youth as leaders of today and not tomorrow by allowing them to participate in decision making and management of the Eldoret South Constituency resources” She told the press.

She also wanted to see how more resources would be allocated in the educational empowerment of the youth from the secondary, middle level colleges and University.

“I also want them empowered economically by assisting the various income generating activities initiated across the constituency. I also want to liase with all athletes and assist them to establish an athletic training camp in the constituency, for the youth to explore and exploit their athletics talents in order to empower themselves”, Simam asserted.

What agenda does she have for her fellow women?
“To empower women economically by sourcing for funding from N.G.Os and other well wishers to invest in income generating projects of different groups across the constituency. To assist women access safe and clean water by building water tanks, drilling boreholes and piping them to their homesteads in collaboration with N.G.Os and CDF kitty”, She says.

Simam also seeks to establish well-equipped child health facilities in all the existing dispensaries in the constituency to alleviate women suffering.

“ I also want women to be involved in decision making and management of resources available in Eldoret South constituency, and assist them establish small scale cottage industries”, she pointed out.

The lady politician also has an ambitious programme for farmers in the Eldoret South constituency and as she is famously known to remark, “ The sky is the limit”.