Lamu woman rep banks on stand on coal plant project to win seat
Lamu Woman Representative Shakila Abdalla. It is expected that her strong stand on the establishment of a coal-powered plant in the county will give her an edge over her competitors as she seeks to retain her seat in the August 8 elections. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Ms Abdalla has received a lot of criticism both from county and national government officials over her stand on the coal project.
- But critics argue that her stand on the matter might get her bonus votes.
- Lamu people threatened to vote out all incumbents if they do not make their stand on the coal power plant known.
The proposed Sh200 billion coal-fired power plant is a topic that many leaders in Lamu County have shunned even as they seek elective posts in the August 8 elections.
But as for Lamu Woman Representative Shakila Abdalla, the matter has been close to her heart and she has not been afraid to point out what she believes to be the evils of such a project.
Ms Abdalla, who is facing a tough battle from four other candidates, Mrs Ruweida Mohamed Obbo (Jubilee Party), Mrs Aisha Nizar Abdalla (ODM), Mrs Maryam Abubakar (Maendeleo Chap Chap) and Ms Muthoni Monica Marubu (independent) seems unbothered and she insists that her efforts to ensure the coal plant is not established in Lamu are unstoppable.
Mrs Ruweida Mohamed Obbo the Jubilee Party candidate for Lamu woman rep in the August 8 elections. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
BONUS VOTES
But while Ms Abdalla has received a lot of criticism from both county and national government officials over her stand on the coal project, critics however argue that her stand on the matter might get her bonus votes, bearing in mind that what the Lamu voters want is a leader who can give them direction concerning the sensitive matter of the coal plant.
Just recently, the Lamu people threatened to vote out all incumbent politicians in the August 8 elections if they do not make known their stand on the coal power plant.
The project’s proposed site is in Kwasasi Village in Hindi, Lamu West.
Ms Muthoni Monica Marubu who is also vying for the Lamu woman rep's seat as an independent candidate. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
SACRIFICES
In a recent interview with Nation in Lamu, confident Ms Abdalla, however, said the struggle to have the coal plant not established in Lamu was a drop in the ocean compared to the numerous sacrifices she has made for the people of Lamu.
She dismissed allegations by her opponents that she has been sleeping on the job and instead cautioned them to prepare for a tough battle for the seat.
Ms Abdalla says her development record speaks for itself and that she is confident of winning come August 8.
Mrs Aisha Nizar Abdalla the ODM candidate for the Lamu woman rep's seat. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
DRUG ADDICTS
She says through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), her office was able to rehabilitate over 300 drug addicts in the entire Lamu County within the short period she has been in office.
She adds that NGAAF has also enabled more than 600 secondary school, college and university students to benefit from bursaries.
She says she has also managed to empower more than 200 women groups in the county and also worked hard in unifying the various ethnic communities living in Lamu, which is cosmopolitan.
CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Ms Abdalla, who is also the national Wiper Democratic Movement Deputy Party Leader, also boasts herself as the only leader in Lamu’s history who managed to introduce the annual Faza Cultural Festival in Lamu East.
The event’s mandate is to showcase the ancient traditions and cultural practices of the Bajunis and the Awer (Boni) communities who have lived in Faza for centuries.
The event is also meant to empower the communities and enable them get to promote their culture and also assist in bringing national unity.
Ms Abdalla says the festival has helped the new generation understand their roots which are slowly diminishing due to modernisation.
But for her key rival, Ruweida Mohamed Obbo of Jubilee, there is nothing that the incumbent can show for the four years she has been in power.
She says her main agenda if elected in August is to ensure unity for the Lamu people, better healthcare, education for all and women empowerment in the region.
Mrs Maryam Abubakar of Maendeleo Chap Chap. She also seeks to be the next Lamu woman rep. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
QUALITY LEADERSHIP
“It is the high time that the people of Lamu choose quality leadership which will ensure better healthcare, education for all, improved economy, cleaner water and security. For our women, they need empowerment. Those are my key agendas if elected come August 8,” says Mrs Ruweida.
ODM’s Aisha Nizar Abdalla says she is determined to ensure the youth in Lamu are redeemed from the drug menace and that employment for all is created.
She says she is also targeting at ensuring Lamu women are empowered so that they become independent.
As for Maryam Abubakar of Maendeleo Chap Chap, her key agenda is to have all the Lamu people united and also pledges to ensure gender parity in terms of employment in the county.
Ms Muthoni Marubu, on her part, pledges to improve girl-child education in Lamu and also cultivate cohesion among all communities in the county.
Ms Marubu who is the youngest candidate for the seat.
In the 2013 election, the incumbent Ms Abdalla of Wiper managed to garner 19,000 votes followed by Ms Annastasia Mwangi who got 17,000 votes.
