HON PERIS SIMAM AN ENIGMA IN POLITICS WITH UNIQUE LEADERSHIP STYLE

HON PERIS SIMAM AN ENIGMA IN POLITICS WITH UNIQUE LEADERSHIP STYLE

She may pass for another ordinary woman in a town street. She looks simple, down – to earth and non-assuming. She is not accustomed to the eye – catching, easy - rolling gaits familiar with most urban women. Simplicity, plain simplicity is her way of life

But behind Hon. Peris Chepchumba Simam’s simple appearance is such a store of wisdom and intellect, which is quite noticeable and impressive. A first encounter with her gets one struck with her eloquence, kind – heartedness, humanity and love for people. She is as cool as a placid cove but as vibrant as a boat caught up in a violent storm.

Hon Simam is a brave and composed woman whose resolve appears to get strengthened by the day, her imminent entry into parliament will be the realization of a dream she has always nurtured. She epitomizes bravery among women fighting for their rights and those of others in the country.

Simam was a teacher before turning to politics. She taught for fifteen years at the Burnt – Forest located Arnersens secondary school and through her, scores of students managed to secure responsible positions in the society.

A God fearing leader, Hon. Simam was born in 1968 at Kapkoi in Eldoret South of the Uasin- Gishu district, being the seventh child of Mr. Hosea Birgen. She attended Assuriet primary school from standard one and later transferred to Kapkoi primary school in the same class and completed standard seven in 1982, where she sat for her C.P.E and joined Turbo Girls for her ‘O’ levels. She obtained division three. She then proceeded for her ‘A’ levels at Bishop Njenga Girls High School, where she sat for her Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education and passed with two principals and one Subsidiary.

Simam later joined Moi Teachers College in Eldoret for a Diploma in Education Science, and subsequently joined Kenyatta University for a Bachelor of Education Science. She is married to Enock Simam and the couple has been blessed with three children – Luke, Laurine and Linus.

In 1989, Mrs. Simam taught as an untrained teacher at Ngeria Secondary School for a month. After graduating from college, she taught as a trained teacher at Kipsigak High School, North Nandi district in 1991, and later transferred to Arnersens High School, from where she taught for the last fifteen years, serving in different positions like class teacher, head of department in guidance and counseling. She was also a patron of scouts at her former school.