Hon Richard Momoima Onyonka Biography

Richard Momoima Onyonka Biography, Family History and Political Career

Richard Onyonka is a veteran Kenyan politician now a Member of the Senate. His leadership style is often a conversation starter between critics and supporters. Inside Richard Momoima Onyonka biography are interesting profile facts.

Behind the latest trends are vocal legislatures such as Senator Richard Onyonka. The lawmaker wears many hats and is a public figure to watch in Gusii politics.

Richard Momoima Onyonka profile facts

Real nameRichard Momoima Onyonka
BirthdayJanuary 1, 1962
Age62 years
BirthplaceKitutu Chache South
TribeKisii
NationalityKenyan
Active since1992
Net worthKsh. 400 million

Richard Momoima Onyonka biography

Senator Onyonka is a daring Kisii politician, never afraid to articulate his ideas amidst controversies.

He is an influential Kenyan leader at the height of his career following a recent fallout with Governor Simba Arati and his excellent President William Ruto.

How old is Richard Onyonka? Richard Onyonka is 62-years-old as of 2024. The politician from Kisii County celebrates his birthday on January 1st.

Educational history

Onyonka started schooling at Otamba and St Mary’s Mosocho primary schools. He then joined Kisii High School for his O-Levels and St Marys Yala for his A-Levels.

In 1980, Onyonka enrolled at the University of Nairobi for a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economics. He graduated in 1985 and left Kenya for further studies.

Onyonka returned to class within the same year for a Masters program in Management at the University of North Carolina, USA, graduating in 1986.

College years and years in prison

Onyonka was a fun freak during his college years. A fair share of his boom income from the government afforded him a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a tusker.  

Five meals a day, free laundry, and cleaning services are the privileges he enjoyed during his campus years.

In academics, Onyonka loved the International trade unit and hated statistics.

Onyonka and Musalia Mudavadi were among the 156 students arrested concerning the Kenya Air Force soldier’s attempted coup of 1982.

The High Court later ordered their release, after which they resumed studies.

Richard Onyonka family background

Onyonka Richard comes from the Kitutu Chache South constituency. He was born a year before Kenya welcomed its independence from the British colonial masters in 1963.

His father is Dr Zachary Onyonka and his mother is Beatrice Onyonka.

The legislature inherited the political mantle from his father born in 1939. Unfortunately, he died in 1996.

Parents Dr Zachary Onyonka and Beatrice

Dr Zachary served as a Foreign Affairs Minister in the regime of President Moi.

He later served in other ministries, including Economic Planning & Development and Education.

On the other hand, Richard Onyonka’s mother is Beatrice Onyonka. She is a strong woman who took over from her husband in 1996 to raise successful children.

Many know Onyonkaโ€™s family for its long history in politics. Also noteworthy are political differences with the household of Simeon Nyachae.

Elsewhere, not much info is public about Onyonkaโ€™s wife amnd children.

Hon Richard Onyonkaโ€™s career in politics

Onyonka’s political journey started in 1992, even as the country was embracing the new multi-party system.

His first bid for an elective post failed at the KANU nominations level. He suffered another loss in the 1996 by-elections.

The 2002 general elections ended with Richard Onyonka losing the Kitutu Chache Constituency parliamentary seat to Jimmy Angwenyi.

Richard Onyonka career summary;

  • 2007 โ€“ 2013: MP Kitutu Chache
  • 2008 โ€“ 2013: Assistant Minister Foreign Affairs
  • 2013 โ€“ 2017: MP Kitutu Chache South
  • 2017 โ€“ 2022: MP Kitutu Chache South
  • 2022 – 2017: Senator Kisii County

Onyonka served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an assistant minister during President Mwai Kibaki’s regime.

In 2017, he defended his seat after beating Anthony Kibagendi of Jubilee Party by a huge margin.

Kitutu Chache North kingpin Jimmy Angwenyi and Onyonka are long-time political champions in the region.

Momoima Richard Onyonka parties;

  • 2007 โ€“ 2013: People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
  • 2013 โ€“ 2017: Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
  • 2017 to present:ย  Ford Kenya Party

In addition, Onyonka was a Member of Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations between 2013 and 2017.

Becoming Senator Kisii County

At first, the vocal lawmaker declared his interest in replacing former Kisii County boss James Omariba Ongwae.

Onyonka would support former Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati against Joash Maangi, Janet Ongera, Sam Ongeri, and Chris Obure.

Luckily, Arati became governor and himself a senator of Kisii County.

Richard Onyonka’s net worth

The more prominent Onyonka family owns several assets: houses, cars, stately homes, and other expensive properties.

Besides, the lawmaker has yet to confirm owning Onyonka Estates in Nairobi City County.

Senator Richard Onyonka banks a monthly salary of Ksh. 700,000 for his senatorial role.

Richard Onyonka contacts

Telephone0722460333
Emailronyonka@gmail.com

The biography of Richard Momoima Onyonka introduces his life history from childhood to the National Assembly and now the Senate.