BY BRIAN OTIENO @Yobramos4
The Nyali MP seat is attracting more people as politicians realign strategically in readiness for the 2027 general election.
Kadzandani MCA Fatma Kushe has thrown her hat into the ring, posing a challenge for some leaders.
She becomes the second woman to show interest in the seat, seen as the easiest to win in Mombasa county but which has its own challenges for those who salivate for it.
Kushe has been an MCA for three terms now, with the first two being nominated by ODM, after shelving her ambitions for others.
An epitome of hardwork and a never-give-up attitude, the MCA has risen from being a house help to one of the most influential leaders in Mombasa county.
A staunch believer in education, Kushe on Tuesday said the best gift a parent can give their child is a good education.
“But here we have to work together because in our society today, parents always leave this duty to teachers.
“Parents, especially the men who have complimented our lives, let us not abdicate our duties. Many children today roam the streets instead of being in school because we as parents take education for granted,” Kushe said at the Ziwa la Ng’ombe Primary School where she made her announcement.
She said this is the reason she wants to be Nyali MP to help residents become people of value.
“Why don’t we try a woman from Nyali in Parliament? Haven’t you seen the work of a woman? Can’t a woman deliver? It is time Nyali showed that women leadership is also good leadership,” she said amid cheers from the crowd.
Kushe received support from fellow MCAs Hamisi Nyota (Ziwa la Ng’ombe), who delivered 25 desks to Ziwa la Ng’ombe Primary School, Sylvester Kai (Junda) and Allen Katana (Shanzu).
Katana said she would support Kushe because she has seen her leadership.
“Who do you want for MP?” he posed, to which the crowd shouted, “Kushe!”
“You have said it, not me!” Katana said. Mombasa county education executive Mbwarali Kame said he supports Kushe on her bid and wished her the best.
“I have nothing but praise for Kushe. She has my blessings,” Mbwarali said.
Kushe has been advocating for women leadership in her political journey.
She said time has come for more women to be involved in top leadership positions in Mombasa.
Likoni MP Mishi Mboko is the only elected woman in the top elective positions, apart from Zamzam Mohamed, the Woman Representative.
The only other woman who has shown interest in the Nyali seat in the 2027 race is Gladys Chepkorir, who in 2022 unsuccessfully vied for the Mkomani MCA seat.
Other candidates who have shown interest include businessman Abdikadir Dekow, political strategist Abdulswamad Ali, businessman Said ‘Saido’ Abdalla, former political advisor in the office of the Prime Minister Maj (rtd) Idris Abdirahman and Alfayo Nelson of the Alfayo Nelson Foundation.
Kushe will be fighting it out with Saido for the ODM ticket.
Kushe and Saido have an on-and-off relationship.
It is interesting to see how their fight will pan out given that Saido has unsuccessfully vied for the seat for the past three general elections.
Though her various initiatives, Kushe, the most vocal of MCAs in Mombasa, has been engaging in women and youth empowerment initiatives, education, feeding programmes for the less fortunate.
Her belief is that young people lack employment opportunities because of poor education background and that is why she is keen on education in her leadership.
“The lack of education results in lack of employment which then pushes young people to crime, especially in Kisauni and Nyali subcounties.
But we have a solution to that.
The current Nyali leadership has started it and we will continue with it,” she said.
Incumbent Nyali MP Mohammed Ali has been heavy on education, constructing at least five schools in the constituency.
Kushe has also initiated a project to empower religious teachers, especially the Muslim Madrasa ones.
Many youth have gone astray because they lacked mentorship, she says.
In her Kadzandani ward, she has ensured Madrassa teachers are well remunerated for their work.
“I believe the foundation of a child plays a big role in who they become in adulthood. That is why we have projects where our Madrasa teachers will be recognised and commensurately rewarded for their work with children,” she said on Tuesday.
She is in the process of drafting a bill that if passed, will see Madrassa teachers recognised by the county government and have them well paid.
Currently, Madrassa teachers are paid as little as Sh2,000 a month.
“Having a firm foundation in religion is key to fighting the many vices seen in our county,” she said.