Peter Salasya is a Kenyan politician who represents Mumias East Constituency in the National Assembly. He is a first-time MP who rose from humble beginnings to become a vocal and influential leader in Western Kenya. He is also known for his controversial and dramatic antics that have earned him both admiration and criticism from the public.
Peter Kelerwa Salasya Wiki/Bio
| Name | Peter Kelerwa Salasya |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | January, 1989 |
| Place of birth | Mumias, Kakamega County, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Ethnicity | Luhya |
| Religion | Christian |
| Education | Bachelor of Commerce from Egerton University, Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management from Sigalagala National Polytechnic |
| Occupation | Politician, businessman, former banker, teacher, and bicycle seller |
| Political party | Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) |
| Constituency | Mumias East |
| Girlfriend | Lydia Ronad |
| Assets | A house in Mumias, a plot of land in Kakamega, a fleet of cars, and shares in various companies |
| Interests | Music, entertainment, travel, partying, and philanthropy |
| Controversies | Accused of threatening to kill a magistrate, involved in a physical confrontation with supporters of Kakamega Governor, arrested for slapping a Member of County Assembly at a funeral |
| Ambitions | To become the spokesperson of the Mulembe nation, to revive the Mumias Sugar Company, to serve his people diligently and faithfully |
| Links | Instagram- @peter_salasya Twitter- @PeterSalasyah Homepage- Newsunzip |
Early Life, Birthday and Education
Peter Salasya was born on January 1989 (age: 35 years, as of 2024), in Mumias, Kakamega County. He is the second last born in a family of seven children. His father, John Salasya, died in 2007 when Peter was in Form Two, leaving him and his siblings under the care of their mother, who was a peasant farmer.
Salasya attended Shianderema Primary School, where he completed his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2005. He then joined Lubinu Boys High School, where he completed his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2009. He was an active student who participated in various co-curricular activities, such as drama, music, and football.
After high school, Salasya joined Egerton University, Nakuru Campus, where he pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree. He graduated in 2013 and was awarded a second-class honors degree. He also ventured into student politics while at the university, but he did not succeed in his bids for various leadership positions.
Career and Politics
Peter Salasya got his first job in 2014 as a bicycle seller, helping a local businessman to market and sell bicycles in Kakamega town. He also worked as a part-time teacher at a local secondary school, earning a modest income to support himself and his family.
He later secured a job as an Operations Director at the Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) in Kakamega, where he worked for two years before quitting to join politics. He had developed an interest in politics since his childhood, and he was inspired by his role models, such as former President Mwai Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Salasya made his debut in national politics in 2017, when he contested for the Mumias East parliamentary seat on an independent ticket. He campaigned on a handcart pushed by his supporters, as he did not have enough resources to run a sophisticated campaign. He also focused on the plight of the Mumias Sugar Company, which was facing financial and operational challenges, and promised to revive it if elected. He, however, lost the election, coming third among nine candidates. He garnered 254 votes, while the incumbent MP, Benjamin Washiali, won with 33,880 votes.
He did not give up on his political ambition, and he decided to run again in 2022. This time, he joined the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), which was led by former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa. Wamalwa paid Ksh.100,000 for Salasya’s nomination fee and also helped him to build a permanent house, as he did not have one. He also received support from his constituents, who contributed money and other resources to boost his campaign.
Salasya surprised many when he emerged victorious in the 2022 election, defeating his rivals with a wide margin. He garnered 12,140 votes, while his closest challenger, Peter Wamatsi of the Amani National Congress (ANC), got 9,043 votes. The former MP, Washiali, who had endorsed another candidate, Dr. Benson Mapwoni, came third with 5,118 votes.
He became the youngest MP in Western Kenya, and he attributed his victory to God and the people of Mumias East. He said he was humbled by the trust and confidence that his constituents had bestowed upon him, and he vowed to serve them diligently and faithfully. He also said he would work with other leaders to address the challenges facing the region, especially the revival of the Mumias Sugar Company.
Controversies and Scandals
Since joining Parliament, Peter Salasya has been involved in several controversies and scandals that have put him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. He has been accused of being arrogant, disrespectful, violent, and irresponsible by his critics, who have questioned his suitability as a leader.
Some of the incidents that have tarnished Salasya’s reputation include:
- In September 2023, He was arrested and charged with threatening to kill a magistrate, who had issued a warrant of arrest against him for failing to appear in court over a traffic offense. Salasya denied the charges and was released on a Ksh.200,000 bond.
- In November 2023, he was involved in a physical confrontation with supporters of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, who had snatched a microphone from him as he was criticizing the governor at a public function. He threw punches at his attackers, while his bodyguard drew his gun and fired in the air to disperse the crowd. Salasya later accused Barasa of sending goons to attack him and destroy his car, which had its rear screen smashed.
- In January 2024, Peter Salasya was arrested again after slapping a Member of County Assembly, Peter Walunya Indimuli, at a funeral in Mumias. The incident sparked chaos, as mourners ran for their safety amid gunshots from his bodyguards, who were also arrested and disarmed. He was released on a Ksh.50,000 cash bail, pending his arraignment on charges of assault and creating a disturbance. He later said he slapped the MCA because he was taunting him and had been sent by the governor to frustrate him.
Salasya has defended his actions, saying he is not afraid of anyone and he will not tolerate any disrespect or intimidation from his opponents. He has also said he is ready to face the consequences of his actions, and he will not be deterred from speaking his mind and fighting for the interests of his people.
Girlfriend, Tribe
Peter Salasya is said to be in a relationship with Lydia Ronad, whom he met at Egerton University. It appears that they are planning to get married soon. Other than this Salasya is a devoted Christian, who attends the Redeemed Gospel Church in Mumias. He is also a philanthropist, who supports various causes, such as education, health, and sports, in his constituency.
Salasya belongs to the Luhya tribe, which is the second-largest ethnic group in Kenya. He is a proud son of the Mulembe nation, which comprises of 18 sub-tribes of the Luhya community. He has expressed his interest in becoming the spokesperson of the Mulembe nation, saying he has the vision and the charisma to unite and mobilize the Luhya people for a common agenda.
He is also a fan of music and entertainment, and he often posts videos of himself singing and dancing on his social media platforms. He has a large following on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, where he interacts with his fans and updates them on his activities. He is also known for his humorous and witty posts, which often elicit mixed reactions from his followers.
Net Worth and Assets
Peter Salasya has not disclosed his exact net worth, but he is estimated to be worth $1.5 million USD. He earns a monthly salary of over Ksh.800,000 as a member of parliament, excluding allowances and other benefits. He also has other sources of income, such as farming and business.
Salasya owns several assets, including a house in Mumias, a plot of land in Kakamega, and a fleet of cars, such as a Land Cruiser, a Range Rover, and a Mercedes Benz. He also has shares in various companies, such as DTB, Safaricom, and KCB.
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.5 million USD |
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches
- Weight: around 70 kg
- Eye color: black
Peter Salasya is a young and ambitious politician, who has overcome many challenges to become a member of parliament. He is a popular and influential leader in Western Kenya, who has championed the interests of his people, especially on the issue of the Mumias Sugar Company. He is also a controversial and dramatic figure, who has been involved in several scandals that have damaged his reputation. He is a family man, a philanthropist, and a social media sensation, who has a large and loyal fan base. He is a man of many faces, who has a bright future ahead of him.
