Regina Chumba is a passionate disability rights advocate, community mobiliser, and politician whose journey from grassroots service to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to fairness, inclusion, and empowerment.
Born and raised in Segero/Barsombe Ward in Uasin Gishu County, Chumba is a single mother who has raised both biological and adopted children. Her life experiences have given her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable families, women, and persons living with disabilities.
She began her education at Sirikwa Primary School before joining Segero Adventist Secondary School, where she did KCSE. Shortly after completing school, she volunteered with the Kenya Red Cross, launching a career dedicated to humanitarian service and community development.
In 1999, Chumba represented Kenyan youth in Sweden, an experience that broadened her perspective on social development and community empowerment. She continued working with humanitarian organisations and played an active role in relief efforts during the 2007/08 post-election crisis, serving in Kachibora, Trans Nzoia County.
Driven by a desire to make a more lasting impact, she returned to school and pursued studies in Social Work, Guidance and Counselling. She later worked at Segero Adventist School, where she supported learners with special needs and advocated for equal opportunities for all students.
A defining moment in her life came when a mother living with disability died after facing neglect and discrimination. The incident deeply affected Chumba and ignited her determination to become a voice for persons with disabilities.
“I have always believed that everyone deserves to be treated fairly,” she told Uasin Gishu News. “That experience made me realise that persons with disabilities needed stronger representation and advocacy.”
Regina Chumba’s political journey
Regina Chumba’s political journey began with grassroots mobilisation and community work. In 2013, she actively campaigned for then Uasin Gishu gubernatorial candidate Jackson Mandago while continuing her advocacy for persons with disabilities. She later moved to Eldoret, where she intensified her efforts, particularly among women and families living with disabilities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chumba worked closely with several organisations, including Disability Trust and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), while also serving in leadership roles within disability-focused networks. These experiences strengthened her belief that meaningful change is possible when communities are empowered and included.
After unsuccessfully seeking nomination in 2017 and placing fifth in the race for the Segero/Barsombe MCA seat, she continued pursuing her political ambitions. Through a successful legal challenge involving party nominations, she eventually secured a place in leadership and is currently serving as a Nominated Member of the County Assembly (MCA) in Uasin Gishu.
Since joining the County Assembly, Chumba has distinguished herself as one of the most active nominated MCAs. She proudly notes that within her first week in the Assembly, she moved a motion that was successfully passed, setting the tone for an impactful tenure.
She currently serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Gender Committee and is a member of several key committees, including the Public Investments Committee (PIC), Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and Environment Committee. Altogether, she serves in five committees.
Throughout her term, Chumba has consistently championed policies aimed at inclusion and accessibility. She has advocated for the employment of persons with disabilities and helped secure job opportunities for at least 16 individuals. She has also pushed for the inclusion of caregivers in bursary programmes, recognising the unique financial burdens faced by families living with disability.
Her efforts have extended to improving accessibility in public spaces. She has advocated for the provision of sign language interpreters at public forums and successfully pushed for the allocation of market spaces for persons with disabilities.
Now seeking election as the Uasin Gishu County Woman Representative on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, Chumba says her experience as a nominated MCA has shown her the limitations of the position and the need for a broader mandate to drive change.
“Disability should never be a barrier to success,” she says. “People often think disability only means someone using a wheelchair, yet there are many forms of disability. We must focus on people’s abilities, not their limitations, and provide opportunities for them to thrive.”
What are Regina Chumba’s campaign pillars?
Her campaign is anchored on four key pillars:
- Inclusion and Inclusivity
Promoting equal participation of all people in employment, leadership, and social life, regardless of disability, gender, or economic status.
- Women’s Empowerment
Equipping women and mothers with accurate information, opportunities, and resources that can improve their lives and economic well-being.
- Maternal Health
Strengthening healthcare support for mothers, including initiatives aimed at ensuring safe childbirth and safe transportation for mothers after delivery.
- Disability Rights and Accessibility
Expanding opportunities, services, and infrastructure that enable persons with disabilities to live with dignity and contribute fully to society.
For Regina Chumba, leadership is not about occupying a seat but about creating opportunities for those who are often overlooked. Her vision is a Uasin Gishu where disability does not define a person’s future, where mothers receive the support they need, and where inclusion becomes a reality rather than a slogan.
The Uasin Gishu woman rep seat has atrracted over 30 aspirants.
