Legislator Athman Sharif vows to oppose Timamy in 2017 polls

Lamu Senator Abu Chiaba and (right) and Lamu East MP Athman Sharif at Mtangawanda in Lamu East on August 1, 2016.Mr Sharif has sworn not to support Mr Timamy in the next election arguing he is “a difficult person’’ to work with. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Sharif raised eyebrows recently when he described Mr Timamy’s leadership as dictatorial.
  • Mr Sharif, who in the past has faithfully attended all the governor’s functions, has been missing in all events held by Mr Timamy since the beginning of the year.
  • The MP also swore to mobilise his constituents to oppose Mr Timamy come 2017 General Election.

A political battle is shaping up in Lamu County as politicians position themselves for next year’s General Election.

Lamu locals are used to frequent tussles between Governor Issa Timamy and Lamu County Assembly members and also between Mr Timamy and Lamu Senator Abu Chiaba.

But the latest fallout is between the governor and Lamu East MP Athman Sharif, who has been his closest ally.

Both have been ardent supporters of the United Democratic Forum party until recently when they announced that they had defected to the Jubilee Alliance Party. Mr Sharif raised eyebrows recently when he described Mr Timamy’s leadership as dictatorial.

The MP, who in the past has faithfully attended all the governor’s functions, has been missing in all events held by Mr Timamy since the beginning of the year. Speculation is that there might be a fallout.

OPPOSE TIMAMMY

Speaking in Lamu this week, Mr Sharif swore not to support Mr Timamy in the next election arguing he is “a difficult person’’ to work with.

“I respect Governor Timamy but I am not happy with the way he has been running county affairs. His style of leadership has never been inclusive of all the leaders. Why does he think he is able to make county decisions on his own? We must be involved and that is exactly what he is not doing,” said Mr Shariff.

The MP also swore to mobilise his constituents to oppose Mr Timamy come 2017 General Election. But Mr Timamy defended himself against the accusations, saying he had no personal differences with any leader in Lamu and that he had done all he could to unite the county’s leadership and ensure an inclusive government.