Elizabeth Ongoro Masha served as an assistant minister in the coalition government.
Elizabeth Ongoro (born 1969) is a Kenyan politician. She represented the Kasarani Constituency in the 10th Parliament of the National Assembly of Kenya.
Ongoro was a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and has served as the party’s deputy Chairperson. She defected from the party to United Democratic Alliance.
The female political heavyweight won the Kasarani parliamentary seat in 2007. Hardened men politicians had dominated the constituency. She also was an assistant minister in the coalition government.
| Elizabeth Ongoro | |
|---|---|
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| Short Profile | |
| Full Name: | Elizabeth Ongoro Masha |
| Born: | 1969 (age 54 years) |
| Nationality: | Kenyan |
| Education: | University of Nairobi (2001–2003), Kenyatta University Bookshop (1987–1990) |
| Occupation: | Politician |
| Spouse: | Ferdinand Masha Kenga |
| Children: | Joshua Benjamin Masha Amollo |
| Party: | United Democratic Alliance (UDA) |
Early Life
Elizabeth Ongoro was born in 1969 in Kenya.
Education
Former Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro studied for a Bachelor of Education at Kenyatta University from 1987 to 1990. She did Masters in Urban Development at the University of Nairobi from 2001 to 2003.
Ongoro had her secondary school education at Lwak Girls High School from 1981 to 1982. She completed at Rangala Girls High School from 1983 to 1984.
Career
In 2013, Ongoro dreamed of being the next elected senator for Nairobi. She started her campaign and was the front-runner for that seat within ODM.
The former MP received offers for the Ruaraka parliamentary seat. Since city lawyer Tom TJ Kajwang’ had received the nomination certificate, she rejected the certificate.
After the polls, she was a nominee to the Senate. At a party retreat at a luxurious tourist hotel in Naivasha, she offered to run for the position of Deputy Minority Leader in 2013. She was eventually asked to surrender the seat and give it to someone from Northern Kenya.
Ongoro was well known for serving as an assistant minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development.
Political Party
Ms. Elizabeth Ongoro defected from ODM to United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in July 2023. She was a member of opposition leader Raila Odinga’s ODM.
Ongoro rejoined the political party in 2020 after defecting to the Amani National Congress (ANC) in 2017 during the general election. She and the elder sister to Rarienda MP Atiende Omollo defected from ODM due to frustrations in 2017.
Personal Life
Elizabeth Ongoro is married to Ferdinand Masha Kenga. She notoriously made headlines after someone accused her of battering her husband. She was eight months pregnant, and the news shocked her.
The former MP became sick and almost lost her baby to shock. She underwent trauma and almost resigned from her seat. In 2011, she had her fourth child Joshua Benjamin Masha Amollo, at the Nairobi Hospital.
Ongoro checked into the Nairobi Hospital the night before and delivered her bouncing baby boy on Friday at about 5 pm.
Political Positions
Current
- Member for Kasarani of Orange Democratic Movement since 2007
- Coalition Member of Coalition for Reforms & Democracy
- Member of United Democratic Alliance (UDA)
Previous
- Senator of Senate (Nominated)(2013 – 2017)
- Member of Parliament for Kasarani (2008 – 2013)
- Assistant Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development of Cabinet (2008-2013).
Job History
- Member of Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Started 2008)