Hulda Momanyi has made history as the newly elected representative for Minnesota’s 38A district in the United States House of Representatives.
At 39, Momanyi remains connected to her cultural roots, fluent in Kisii, and dedicated to preserving her heritage through the cuisine she shares with her family, which includes traditional dishes like Ugali and managu vegetables.
Momanyi’s journey to the United States began when she was nine years old. She moved to the country in 1995 to join her father, who had relocated as a student in 1988, with her mother following in 1992.
The family’s pursuit of American citizenship was marred by an arduous 11-year battle against the threat of deportation. Just 48 hours before an enforcement order was set to take effect, former Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone intervened, facilitating the regularization of their status. Despite spending three decades in the US, Momanyi emphasizes the importance of her cultural identity, instilling the Kisii language and customs in her children, aged seven and 15 months, who carry Kisii birth names.
Her commitment to heritage is further illustrated by her reflections during a recent visit to Nairobi, where she celebrated her electoral victory and the values passed down from her mother. Momanyi’s experiences resonate deeply within the Kenyan immigrant community, particularly amid anxiety surrounding immigration policies under former President Trump. She urges undocumented Kenyans to remain calm, advising a cautious approach to Trump’s rhetoric surrounding mass deportations.
“We have to wait and see because before he takes office, he can say all things but once in office we can then see how the policies shape up,” she says.
The representative argues that the US economy’s heavy reliance on immigrants will counteract any extreme anti-immigrant policies. According to Momanyi, “Most of the things he says, including anti-immigrant policies, cannot be implemented because the law protects people. Also, the American economy depends on immigrants so much that if he did the mass deportation he is talking about, the U.S. economy would collapse.”
