Lamu county assembly speaker Abdu Kassim, who has declared his interest to run for the Lamu West MP, says he will address squatters' welfare if elected.
He joins a list of more than ten aspirants seeking to unseat the incumbent, Stanley Muthama, of Maendeleo Chap Chap, which is aligned to Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja movement.
Muthama has been MP since 2017 and is seeking to defend his seat.
Kassim, who is seeking to vie on ODM ticket, has served as speaker since 2017.
Born in Mokowe on June 5, 1973, Kassim attended Mokowe Primary School and furthered his studies outside Lamu.
He has since served in various capacities, including as Hindi Ward MCA and as leader of majority in the Lamu county assembly between 2013 and 2017.
Kassim is the former chairperson of the defunct Lamu municipal council, having held the position between 2008 and 2009.
He said he will also resolve the issue of landlessness by ensuring residents are granted title deeds for their lands.
Kassim further said he will ensure there is peace and co-existence amongst the various communities in the county once elected.
“I have the experience as a resident here because I understand what our people need and I am ready to deliver it. It is time to make some meaningful decisions for the next generations,” Kassim said.
He said he will use his position to empower young entrepreneurs and bring change in the tourism, fishing, trade, agriculture and livestock sectors that are key income generators for the Lamu economy.
“Farmers in agriculturally-rich areas such as Mpeketoni, Kibaoni, Majembeni, Witu and Maisha, among others, have continued to count losses in their produce due to lack of a sustainable market. I will solve that."
Kassim lost to Muthama in 2017 in his first attempt at the seat.
Some of the aspirants include Narc Kenya’s Mary Nyaga, ODM's Rishad Amana and Hassan Albeity of the Pamoja African Alliance, Alwy Ahmed Badawy and Lamu county assembly clerk Zachariah Mboche Wanyoike .
Others are ANC's Feiswal Miji, Abdirashid Mwaura, former Trade executive Josphat Musembi, former Education executive, Kaviha Khamis, and Swaleh Omar Shee.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
