Growing up in a large political and polygamous family was not easy for advocate Amriya Boy, who has 14 siblings.
Her father, politician Boy Juma Boy (deceased), was often absent due to political commitments.
After her mother Khadija Rashid passed away in 2002, Amriya, then in Standard 4, moved in with her aunt in Toa Tugawe village, Mjambere ward.
The loss affected her deeply, making her aloof despite her aunts’ efforts to comfort her.
Despite the challenges, Amriya excelled academically. She scored 434 out of 500 marks in her KCPE exam in 2006 and joined Moi Forces in Nakuru for secondary school.
Initial bouts of depression due to limited parental support affected her performance, prompting counselling and intervention by her aunt, which turned her academic trajectory around.
She excelled in KCSE exam and initially considered aeronautical engineering at Moi University but, following her aunt’s guidance, pursued law at the University of Nairobi, Mombasa campus.
Her leadership skills soon emerged; she became a founding member of the Kenya Law Students Society Mombasa chapter and later won the Students Organisation of Nairobi University (Sonu) congress woman position.
These roles gave her exposure to politics and public service, catching the attention of Mombasa governor candidates Hassan Joho and Suleiman Shahbal.
After graduating, Amriya gained valuable experience at the Mombasa county attorney’s office and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, honing skills in criminal and county law.
In 2017, she was nominated to the Mombasa county assembly by ODM and, in 2022, won the Mjambere MCA seat.
Through her Ujuzi Mtaani programme, Amriya has empowered 135 vulnerable girls, offering training in tailoring, beauty and other practical skills, reducing early pregnancies and early marriages.
She has also supported boys through driving school programmes.
Balancing her legal career, political responsibilities and family life remains a challenge.
“I do not have a private life,” she admits, reflecting the sacrifices behind her remarkable journey from personal loss to community leadership.
by BRIAN OTIENO
