Inside the fascinating love story of America's first Kisii-born State Representative and her water-bottle-holding husband
Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi on December 11, 2024. She is the first immigrant to be elected to the state legislature position in the US.
What you need to know:
- A girl who left Kisii at nine became the first Kenyan-born politician to win a state assembly seat in the United States.
- Minnesota State Representative Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley and her American husband 'Mr. Ondieki' are now eyeing Congress while building Kenya-US business partnerships.
- She dances in her kitchen, speaks fluent Kisii, and dreams of bringing Minnesota's Fortune 500 billions to Kenya.
Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley is playful and fun to be around. Meeting her at Emara Ole-Sereni recently revealed an easy and highly interactive persona- the woman who recently made history by becoming the first Kenyan-born politician to win a state assembly seat anywhere in the United States (US).
Dazzling in a silver greenish cover-up and black pants, the 39-year old warmly regards us before proceeding to a mirror and doing a playful dance.
‘‘You look amazing,’’ her personal assistant, accompanying her, makes the compliment. ‘Oh, it’s all Kenyan-made! I look this good courtesy of Akinyi Odongo,’ Huldah offers, posing with a big smile. She is in Kenya for thanksgiving following her November 6, win where she won the Minnesota House of Representatives through the Democratic–Farmer–Labour Party. “I am also here to benchmark and see how best Minnesota and Kenya can work together for the common good and development,” she says as we settle down for an interview.
Huldah was born and spent her formative years in Kisii, a place she fondly remembers as her sanctuary of simplicity and togetherness.
Huldah pictured at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi on December 11, 2024.
“I went to Kisii Primary School and my mother was a teacher at Nyambaria Primary School. Most of my young years were spent with my siblings and mother since my dad had left to go and school in the (US).”
Saturdays were her favourite days. “I remember waking up to the smell of mandazis that my mother would dutifully make every Saturday,” she recalls. Those mornings, filled with hearty breakfasts and family laughter, laid the foundation for her values.
Life took a drastic turn when her mother migrated to the US to join their father, leaving Huldah and her siblings under the care of relatives for two years before they could join her.
"Those years tested our strength as a family, but they also taught me resilience," she shares.
At the age of nine, Huldah arrived in the US, wide-eyed and curious. Yet, nothing prepared her for the cultural shocks.
“I couldn’t understand how people ate meat between two pieces of bread,” she laughs, recalling her first encounter with a hamburger.
“Snow also baffled me, how did people survive under these conditions? I always asked myself. The concept of pizza was also foreign to me and so were the many choices for something as simple as milk. Why did we have almond milk and many other kinds of milk? In Kenya milk was just milk,” she shares nostalgically.
Her parents, however, ensured that while she adapted to her new environment, she never lost touch with her Kisii roots.
"I can proudly say that my mum ensured we never lost touch with our roots. I come from a household where we could get a bit of punishment for speaking English. Mum always wanted us to communicate in Kisii and this is the reason why I speak better Kisii as compared to Swahili. My mom was strict about it, and looking back, I’m so grateful. Today, I can fluently speak Kisii, which helps me connect deeply with my elders.”
On how she met her husband, Huldah’s face lights up with a sparkle! “Mr Ondieki- I met Mr Ondieki in a club,” she reveals, with a mischievous smile. “Mom and Dad, sorry! - We tell them we met through a mutual friend, which is true—just not the whole story.” It was love at first sight—or at least intrigue. She was drawn to a tall man holding a bottle of water.
“He wasn’t drinking, and I liked that because I also don’t drink. I would accompany my friends to the club and be the designated driver back home,” she offers.
She heartily discloses that her family gave him the name Mr Ondieki because they could not pronounce his name properly.
“It was during a family thanksgiving party and everyone in my family was struggling to pronounce his last name - Hiltsley. One of my aunties suggested that we give him a Kisii name and we started suggesting Kisii names. One of my cousins suggested Ondieki and my husband loved it and from there, the name stuck!”
Their relationship blossomed, leading to marriage, two beautiful children, and a partnership built on respect and communication.
“Find someone who prioritises your needs and vice versa,” she advises. “Marriage isn’t always pretty, but it’s about waking up each day with the intention to love and support each other.”
Huldah’s election as a Minnesota State Representative is a testament to her determination and vision. She vividly recalls her decision to run for office - she calls it her why.
“I realized there were so many resources at the table, but no one to bring our concerns forward,” she says. “I thought, instead of knocking on the door, why not be the one sitting at the table?”
Her legislative priorities are clear: public safety, equitable healthcare, and affordable housing. “I want to ensure everyone, from young families to college graduates, can find homes they can afford,” she explains. Beyond her district, her Kenyan roots drive her ambition to create partnerships between Minnesota and Kenya. “I want to foster economic development and cultural exchanges that benefit both.”
Remote work
She sees immense potential for collaboration between Minnesota’s Fortune 500 companies and Kenyan industries.
"Why should our coffee, flowers, and tea end up only in Europe? Americans love coffee, and Kenyan coffee is the best,” she asserts passionately. She envisions manufacturing plants in Kenya, direct trade agreements, and empowering Kenyan youth through remote work opportunities.
Her meetings with Kenyan leaders, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Trade PS Alfred Njogu, underscore her commitment. “I’m here to benchmark and see how we can build mutually beneficial partnerships.”
For Huldah, gender equity is more than a talking point—it’s personal. She is candid about the challenges women face, from underrepresentation in politics to gender-based violence.
“Gender issues have no borders. Like the issue of gender-based violence, it is universal, but the difference maybe would be the resources on how these issues are approached,” she says. She believes the solution lies in education, community support, and systemic change.
Her advice to women aspiring to leadership is empowering: “Be bold. Know your ‘why.’ And remember, you are more than the mould society tries to put you in.” Her daily mantra is; Be authentic to who you are, because ‘when you start conforming to who you are not, you take a lot of energy from really doing what you want to do, and try to fit into a mould of what somebody might tell you. Being authentic to yourself will serve you better in the long run.’
Amid her achievements, Huldah remains deeply grounded. Her parents play a pivotal role, reminding her of her roots and values.
Greatest moments
“They keep me humble and focused. And they still care for me like their little girl despite having a family of my own now,” she says.
Her children are her source of joy and balance, whether it’s watching Frozen together or dancing in the kitchen with her husband- those are life’s greatest moments for her and that is also her way of unwinding.
Huldah is clear-eyed about her journey ahead. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I trust God to guide me,” she says. Whether it’s influencing policies in Minnesota or fostering economic ties with Kenya, she is committed to making a difference. “You might be looking at the next congresswoman of the United States,” she jokes, her ambition evident.
She would also love to put a curriculum together that talks about how to run for office, how to successfully run for political office as a woman - addressing the cultural constraints, addressing how to manage a campaign or how to build your team, ‘because it takes a lot to run a successful campaign.’
Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley, the first Kenyan-born candidate to win a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives attending Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on December 12,2024 .EVANS HABIL/NATION
“You have to run a successful campaign, then now after you have to transition from running, being a candidate to now being a leader, which is a complete 360, which I'm seeing now that I've gone through a campaign season, now I'm here and I'm like, this is a whole different ball game. “I’d love for women to learn that you can still be straightforward, direct, and get your message across, while still being graceful, respectful, all of that stuff.”
Her advice to Kenyan leaders is simple yet profound: “Listen to your people, serve with integrity, and know that this moment doesn’t last forever.”
During her short stay in Kenya, Huldah hopes to indulge in all the local delicacies she has missed including rice and beans, as well as spending time with her elders back in Kisii.
“I just love soaking in their wisdom and I genuinely can’t wait to spend time with them. This has always been the best experience and it is magical because I can fluently exchange with them in Gusii language,” she beams.
Huldah Momanyi’s story is one of resilience, courage, and an unwavering commitment to service. From a little girl in Kisii to a trailblazing legislator, she embodies the power of dreams pursued with purpose. As she puts it, “I have a voice, and I intend to use it to make the world better.”
From her humble beginnings in Kisii, Kenya, to her historic election as a Minnesota State Representative, she has emerged as a powerful voice for equity, economic collaboration, and gender equality. In her, Kenya and Minnesota have a leader who not only bridges continents but also inspires generations.
