Daniel Othieno Odongo, Kenya’s first blind pilot, has officially declared his bid for the Mumias West parliamentary seat, becoming one of the country’s most prominent persons with disabilities seeking elective office ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Running on a Roots Party ticket, Odongo’s entry into the race is being hailed as a milestone for disability inclusion in Kenya’s political leadership.
Born on August 24, 1992, Odongo lost his sight at the age of three. Despite the setback, he pursued his education at Kibos School for the Blind and Thika School for the Blind before training as a pilot in Kenya and South Africa. He also holds multiple degrees from Kenyatta University.
His journey has been marked by resilience. According to his personal story, Odongo was abandoned by his father because of his disability and was later raised by Catholic nuns after his grandmother became ill. He went on to score a B- in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), proving that disability is not inability.
“Their handicaps should not be used as an excuse to discriminate them.”
The statement, made by Likuyani Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Chair Moses Nanjukhi while encouraging persons with disabilities to register as voters and seek elective positions, reflects the growing call for greater political inclusion.
Odongo’s parliamentary bid also echoes concerns previously raised in the Senate. During a 2019 debate, lawmakers criticized counties for failing to adequately represent persons with disabilities and called for at least five per cent of elective and nominated positions to be reserved for PWDs.
His candidacy comes at a time when Western Kenya’s political landscape is beginning to take shape ahead of the 2027 elections.
With campaign costs for a National Assembly seat estimated at about Sh24.6 million, Odongo faces an uphill task but one that many believe could inspire more persons with disabilities to seek elective leadership rather than rely solely on nominated positions.
If successful, his election would mark a historic milestone for inclusive leadership inKenya, reinforcing the message that determination and ability—not disability—should define those who seek public office.
