Governor Timamy fighting for political space in Lamu

Since assuming governorship of Lamu in 2013, Issa Timamy has had to keep fighting fierce criticism from rivals in the county.

He is now more than ever fighting harder for political space ahead of next year’s General Election.

Nevertheless, citing his development record, Mr Timamy says he is quite confident of retaining his seat. He says the majority of Lamu residents are behind him because of strides the county has made under his leadership.

“As we speak, we have already proved to them (rivals) that we are unstoppable,’’ the governor tells the Sunday Nation.

“We have and we will continue serving our people wapende wasipende (whether they like it or not),” says Timamy.

The lawyer-turned governor attributes his latest challenges to a new crop of rivals whom he says have emerged to try to get in the way of his administration to ensure he loses his seat.

The people, he says, have returned to haunt him after he weathered a storm in 2014 when he was arrested over killings in Mpeketoni.

Mr Timamy says 2017 will be a smooth ride for him and has challenged his rivals to show what they had done for the people.

He accuses some politicians of secretly moving around the county and undermining his government’s efforts.

BITTER CRITICS

Lamu Senator Abu Chiaba, Woman Representative Shakila Abdalla and Lamu West MP Julius Ndegwa are his bitter critics.

The three criticise him especially on the thorny issues of land and what they claim is his failure to consult other political leaders.

The governor attributes bad blood between him and his political rivals to sour grapes over his close relationship with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He has vowed not to ensure the existing cordial relationship with the national government and the President is sustained, despite what he terms attempts by “selfish” politicians to destroy it.

Mr Chiaba says his criticism against the governor and his administration has nothing to do with politics. He accuses Mr Timamy of abusing power and being dictatorial.

“All I am trying to do is fight for the rights of my people who can’t speak for themselves,” says the senator.

“The governor likes to take his own decisions as final. We need to be consulted as leaders of Lamu. He is not the only person elected by  Lamu people,” he says.

Ms Abdalla says Mr Timamy is “a one-man show”.

“He appears to forget that other leader’s exist. We need to unite and consult one another in order to move Lamu forward,” says the county MP.