Nakuru woman with a hunger for justice
Assumpta Wangui addressing the media outside PGH on June 28, 2023.
Asumptah Wangui has become a household name in Nakuru County owing to her passion in advocating for social justice.
The recent ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court, temporarily stopping the dismissal of more than 700 contracted workers at the county hospitals, shoved her into the limelight.
Asumptah reveals to Mtaa Wangu that she received a distress call from some of the nurses at night, asking her to help them get justice for what they termed as wrongful dismissal.
“I felt it for the youthful staff who were at risk of losing their jobs through the circular that was issued and that is why I lobbied to have them take part in industrial action,” she points out.
Asumptah says she is optimistic that justice will be served at the end of the matter and all the families affected shall have peace through job security.
Away from social justice, Asumptah has also dipped her toes in politics before.
She made her first attempt in the political space by contesting for the Nakuru County Woman Representative seat in 2017.
Unfortunately, she did not make it. So was the case in 2021 when she vied for the London Ward MCA seat in a by-election following the death of the then MCA Sammy Mbugua.
She cites lack of fairness in the political space especially for women in the highly male dominated sector.
However, such inequalities have never deterred her from advancing the advocacy against social injustices. In fact, she says such has seen her work hard to seek justice for all in society.
Though she did not make it in politics, Asumptah’s urge to help people come out of any challenges faced in society saw her rally behind Azimio under the leadership of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga that would later earn her the position of Chairperson Azimio Coalition in Nakuru County.
She prides herself in reading the same script as Odinga in fighting for the rights of the vulnerable in society and those who are intimidated and humiliated.
She is however quick to point out that her efforts in fighting for social justice in the community is not pegged on the political alignment, rather it is about the constitutional rights for all.
“My urge is to see everyone enjoying the rights as enshrined in the constitution. I don’t just fight because of politics but I do it to ensure people enjoy equal rights,” she says.
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