What comes to your mind when you read the name “Fransisca Kwamboka?
You are most probably to think that it is a female person’s name hailing from the Kisii community.
Well, you’re mistaken. Fransisca is intersex but identifies himself as a man. The juicy part is that he is vying for the Mukuru kwa Njenga member of the county assembly (MCA) seat under Ruto’s UDA ticket.
In a country where people are vile toward the LGBTI community, Fransisca has demonstrated courage and brevity by revealing his sexual orientation and running for a public office.
In most cases, a person with a similar sexual orientation would have shied away from sharing about his status, fearing prejudice and victimization.
In this regard, Mkenya Leo presents to you Fransisca’s story, a man who is not letting go of his ambition to lead because of his sexuality, which belongs to the minority community in Kenya.
Early Years
Fransisca was born in Kitutu Chache, Kisii County, where he spent most of his childhood. He says that he had no concerns about his sexuality when growing up because his fellow villagers never bullied him. His grandmother raised him as a normal child, and that is why he never had a problem with his body.
Coming Mukuru Kwa Njenga
Fransisca came to Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nairobi, later in his childhood. Still, he did not bother about his sexuality until he joined an organization where he learned about intersex. The organization provided him with an environment where he interacted with other intersex individuals. He claims that the lessons helped him understand his sexual orientation, which he was starting to notice that it was different. He learned how to accept himself, improving his self-confidence.
An Advocate for the Intersex Community
Fransisca is part of an organization that fights for the rights and equality of the members of the intersex community. He is involved in sensitizing the public to accept intersex individuals. He also participates in supporting children born intersex by ensuring their parents have the resources to take of them.
Leadership & Politics
Fransisca claims that his leadership skills are inborn. He has participated in programs that support youth in Mukuru kwa Njenga. Running for the MCA office will provide him with a greater avenue to support the youth and address the problems of Mukuru kwa Njenga.
Discrimination
Surprisingly, Fransisca first faced discrimination when he came to Nairobi. He says that his political opponents use his sexual orientation to bully him. He also says that the uncommonness of intersex cases and lack of knowledge about the condition makes it difficult for people to accept him. Fortunately, he has learned how to appreciate himself and his self-confidence makes the Mukuru kwa Njenga people have faith in his leadership.
