Huldah Momanyi Appointed to Minnesota State-County Governance Reform Council

Minnesota State Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley has been appointed to the State-County Results, Accountability, and Service Delivery Redesign Council for the 2025–2026 biennium

This marks a significant step in her burgeoning political career. Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman announced the appointment, positioning Momanyi-Hiltsley, the first Kenyan-born legislator in the Minnesota State House, at the forefront of state-level governance reform. The council is central to Minnesota's efforts to enhance public service delivery by fostering collaboration between state and county agencies. 

Its primary goal is to establish uniform performance standards across all Minnesota counties, ensuring consistent and accountable public service delivery. The council's mandate includes prioritizing public engagement and creating channels for citizen input into policymaking. It will also serve as a mediator in disputes between counties and state agencies, promoting constructive resolution. 

Furthermore, the council aims to incentivize the adoption of innovative and cost-effective service delivery models by counties. Momanyi-Hiltsley has conveyed her enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing her dedication to making government more responsive and efficient for Minnesota residents. Her vision aligns with the council's objectives, promising a transformative impact on service delivery.

Last year, Hulda Momanyi made history as the elected representative for Minnesota's 38A district in the United States House of Representatives. At 39, she stands as a symbol of resilience and cultural pride, maintaining a deep connection to her Kisii heritage while navigating the complexities of American politics. Momanyi's journey to the United States began in 1995 when, at the age of nine, she joined her father, who had relocated as a student in 1988. 

Her mother followed in 1992. However, the family's path to American citizenship was fraught with challenges, including an 11-year legal battle against deportation. Their status was regularized just 48 hours before an enforcement order was set to take effect, thanks to the intervention of former Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone. Despite spending three decades in the United States, Momanyi remains deeply rooted in her cultural identity. She is fluent in Kisii and ensures her children, aged seven and 15 months, carry Kisii birth names and are immersed in traditional customs.