Sunjeev 'Sonia' Kaur Birdi is a nominated member of the Kenyan Parliament.[1] She was the first Kenyan Asian woman to serve in the national legislature.[2]
Sonia Birdi | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Kenyan Parliament | |
| Assumed office 15 March 2013 | |
| Constituency | Nominated MP |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Political party | URP |
| Profession | Politician, journalist |
| Committees | Parliamentary committee on Environment and Natural Resources |
| Website | www.soniabirdi.com |
Early life and education edit
Sonia Birdi was born in Nairobi to a Sikh family of Punjabi heritage, the daughter of Surinder and Kuljiridei Birdi.[3] She attended a convent school, and a college in India for her undergraduate degree. She earned a master's degree in business administration from Sheffield University in the United Kingdom.[2]
From 1998 to 2005 she worked as a journalist reporting for Radio Africa's East FM.[1]
Political career edit
Birdi entered politics as a response to the suffering she saw while doing relief work in the aftermath of the Sinai oil fire[4] at Mukuru kwa Njenga in 2011.[2]
Birdi has taken part in various activities in her capacity as a member of parliament. She was at the Women In Parliament Global Forum in Brussels, taking part in the African Women's Communication and Development Network (FEMNET) walk for the Bring Back Our Girls campaign following the Nigerian schoolgirls' kidnapping by Boko Haram.[1]
She also attended the inauguration of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and had the opportunity to discuss Kenya–India relations with the BJP.[5]
Birdi sponsored a motion in Parliament, for the government to build dams countrywide for conservation of the environment and ecosystem management in order to reduce environmental degradation. She has also spoken on road safety measures, urging the Transport Safety Authority to take stricter measures on public transport safety. In 2016 she advocated for clearing Kenya's backlog of immigration applications, saying "Failure to issue applicants with citizenship has violated their rights, equality and freedom from discrimination."[6]
In 2015, she and fellow MP Alfred Keter were charged with creating a public disturbance and abusing their power, after an incident at the Gilgil weighbridge, involving a truck belonging to her father's company.[7] The two said that they were confronting corrupt officials at the weighbridge.[8][9]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Nominated Member of Parliament, Sonia Birdi: Granted Wings to Fly". Standard Media. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
- ^ a b c "Meet the first Asian-Kenyan Woman Lawmaker" Daily Nation (January 27, 2015).
- ^ Harleen Jabbal, "Kenya: Sonia Birdi's Dinner in Honour of William Ruto" The Star (12 November 2013)
- ^ Jeffrey Gettleman, "Leaked Fuel Lures Needy Kenyans, then Ignites" New York Times (13 September 2011): A1.
- ^ Shubha Singh, "We Must Learn from Indian Elections: Kenyan MPs" Indian Diaspora (1 June 2014).
- ^ Rhoda Odhiambo, "MP Birdi Petitions Parliament Over Delayed Citizenship for Immigrants" The Star (8 August 2016).
- ^ Michael Mutai, "Keter & Birdi To Be Charged Today" Radio Jambo (20 May 2015).
- ^ Mabel Keya-Shikuku, "MP Wants Weighing Specifications for Special Trucks Put in Place," Kenya News Agency (22 April 2015).
- ^ Uncle Chim Tuna, "MP Alfred Keter And Sonia Birdi Of The 'Matafaka Fame' Have Their Day In Court For Allegedly Abusing Their Power" Mpasho (21 May 2015).