To give up in life is something nobody should even think of! There is absolutely no reason to lose hope because you never know what tomorrow brings forth. Case in point: Nominated MCA Karen 'Sarafina' Wanjiku.

The young self-made politician, who will be vying for the Nairobi's Njiru Ward MCA seat in next year's general elections has tasted both the sweet and bitter truths this life has to offer. Her story is the perfect version of "from grass to grace".

Following the death of her parents when she was still very young, Karen was taken in by her grandfather who lived in Naivasha.

After her high school studies, she left her matrimonial home as a result of "irreconcilable differences" with her husband. She was pregnant with her first child.

She sought refuge at her father's place in Njiru.

"When the baby came I had to hustle for its milk and other needs. With the Sh200 that I had saved from the baby gifts I had received from friends I bought ten bar soaps. I placed them by the road side and waited for customers. I sold none. so in the evening I decided to take them around the shops, where they were all bought. From that day henceforth I would walk by foot selling the bar soaps to places like Kayole, Donholm, Hurlingham, Junction and Buruburu. It was really tiring but I am not quitter. The bar soap was called Sarafina and as I used to tell people “sabuni Sarafina nunua” they nicknamed me “Sarafina”.

What followed this reads like a fairytale. Karen joined some women in a chama where they used to contribute 10 shillings each per day. A few months later, she was able to take a loan of 2,000 shillings to expand her business. She bought bras and socks for sale.

From this business, 'Sarafina' saved enough to set up a boutique, then applied for the National Youth Council. She was elected and eventually got politically connected with Jubilee in 2013. She was then nominated as an MCA.

"I would also like to encourage young single mothers that are struggling in life to keep pushing on. Hard work eventually pays," she says.

See her photos below...