The two Americans with Kenyan connection who have won US polls

The US elections were historic in many ways, including for two victors with a Kenyan connection. 

Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley bagged the Minnesota House of Representatives seat while Matt Meyer won the Delaware governor’s race in the hotly contested US elections that saw former President Donald Trump make a comeback to the White House. 

With his victory, Mr Meyer keeps the governor's office under Democratic control, a streak that has lasted for over 30 years. 

Mr Meyer, a Democrat, beat Republican candidate Michael Ramone to secure the seat. According to his campaign website, while he was younger, he relocated to Kenya where he learned Swahili and created Ecosandals, a recycled footwear company that sold environmentally friendly footwear to customers across the globe, in 1995. 

At some point, he came under fire from his political competitors over the business because it primarily uses rubber. 

A former New Castle County executive, he emphasised his experience as both a teacher and government manager. He focused on issues like public education reform, which resonated with many voters. 

At the same time, Ms Momanyi made history as the first immigrant elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 38A as a Democrat.

Her victory over Republican Brad Olson brought joy to supporters not only in the US but also back at home in Kenya, where residents of Nyamemiso village in Magombo Ward, Nyamira County, broke into song and dance Wednesday.

She is the daughter of Philip and Tabitha Momanyi, who are first-generation Kenyan immigrants.

“We are celebrating the win of our daughter, Huldah. We are extremely happy,” her aunt Stella Mogaka said.

Her uncle Clement Momanyi praised her ability to lead and bring about change, noting that she was already doing so back at home.

“She has been distributing sanitary towels, beans and rice to nearby schools and children...parents from around here know her work,” said Mr Momanyi.

Her family has been living in Minnesota for more than 20 years.

“I graduated from Cooper High School and earned three Bachelor degrees and an MBA all from Bethel University. I have built a career in data privacy and data protection, while my true passion has been organising within the community to meet the needs of all residents,” she said on her campaign website.

She moved to the US at the age of 9, but says she still keeps in touch with Kenyan politics.

"I do pay attention to how Kenyan politics are run. The biggest difference between running in the US and Kenya is how the candidates approach the voters. Kenya, we know how it is...unfortunately it's a matter of  buying votes...that's something that Kenya has to address,” she said during a past interview.

Before relocation, Huldah's early education was at Nyambaria Primary School, her uncle revealed. 

Some of the primary schools that have benefited from Hulda’s philanthropy are Kiogoro, Nyamwanga and Bomwendo, her cousin Regina Momanyi told Nation. 

Born in 1985, she has been married to Bart Hiltsey for the past 10 years. She's a mother of two.

Reporting by Daniel Ogetta, Kevin Cheruiyot and Ruth Mbula