Even as over five powerful men line up to succeed Governor Salim Mvurya, Kwale Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani believes she is up to the task and the perfect person for the county’s top seat.
Since 2013, Achani has never succumbed to threats nor changed mind over her ambition to become the next Kwale governor.
Mvurya is serving his last and final term.
Achani's resolute stance to battle for top leadership position has forced some aspirants to go back to the drawing board.
She will be battling against Speaker Sammy Ruwa, former Principal Secretary Hamadi Boga, Lung'anzi Mangale of Kenya Ports Authority, former Cabinet minister and envoy to Tanzania Chirau Mwakwere and businessman Daniel Dena.
This will be Mwakwere’s second attempt on the top seat after his first trial flopped in 2017.
He also lost the Senate seat to the late Boy Juma in 2013.
Perhaps, those who used to underestimate her are slowly coming to terms and have started to be cautious of her political ability, locals say.
She has more than once proved to her political rivals that she will not go down without a strong fight, and whoever is dreaming for the governor seat should brace for a bruising battle.
Nine years deputising Mvurya, Achani has held her hopes high that she is the best bet to succeed her boss.
Achani is certain that the county's future is safe in her hands.
"I am sure we will take Kwale to a greater level in terms of development, if elected as the second governor," she said during an event in Ukunda.
Achani said she has learnt a lot and gained enough leadership experience from Mvurya.
The deputy governor said she is the only person who can smoothly continue with Mvurya’s legacy.
Governor Mvurya has intensified campaigns for her, urging residents to shun what he termed as cheap propaganda by adversaries and back her bid to take over from him.
he has said Achani is qualified to take up the mantle as the first woman governor in the Coast.
She has promised the locals to continue with the bursary programme, to improve water supply services, ensure food security through agribusiness and bring affordable health services closer to the people, if elected.
She will be vying through the United Democratic Alliance party, which is associated with Deputy President William Ruto.
In 2013, they were elected through the ODM ticket and in 2017 re-elected on the Jubilee Part.
She has picked Samburu/Chengoni MCA Chirema Kombo as her running mate.
With the UDA party's influence, Achani said she feels comfortable that on August 9, she will emerge victorious.
Currently, UDA party has drawn more aspirants compared to other parties in Kwale.
Achani is a close friend of Deputy President and it is believed that Ruto convinced her to join UDA.
In 2016 the DP also persuaded the two to move to the Jubilee Party after decamping from ODM. She enjoys Mvurya's support.
The outspoken deputy governor's slogan is "Hatuachani Na Achani, Kazi Iendelee'.
She uses it to power up her audience in political gatherings with her fist held up insinuating unity and determination.
Although culture and some religious beliefs seem to be a major obstacle in Achani's quest, she is confident that the ‘future is female’.
While launching the Mvindeni Lofta road in Msambweni, Achani criticised her opponents who uses religion to stop her.
She said using religious grounds to bar women from leadership was primitive and a wrong strategy.
"In mosques, women cannot lead, but they are allowed in the secular world," she said.
She used Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan as an example, saying despite being a woman she manages the country well. More so she is a Muslim and accepted by all people.
Her bid got a boost after Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani, a key aspirant and Ruto ally, announced he would not vie for the seat. Instead, he'd defend his parliamentary seat.
SOCILA LIFE
Achani was born in Kingwede, Msambweni subcounty.
She is married and blessed with two children; a boy and a girl.
The deputy governor holds a law degree from Moi University and a diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
She went to Kingwede Primary and later Mama Ngina Girls' High School in Mombasa.
Before joining politics, she worked as an associate advocate in a Mombasa-based law firm.
At one point, she served as a legal counsel and programme officer for the Federation of Women Lawyers (Fida-Kenya).
The love for women empowerment and development is what inspired her to join politics.
She wanted to break the marginalization barrier and the long-standing misconception against women in leadership roles.
Achani says women can do better when empowered.
Since then, she has been spearheading women leadership and advocating for equal rights as well as youth development and protecting the girl child.
She has helped several women in merry-go-round groups, youth among others to improve livelihood.
She has also been at the front in fighting tribalism ad calling for unity among Kwale residents.
“Shun politicians who want to divide you on ethnic and tribal grounds,” she normally says in her political gatherings.
Achani being beside Mvurya has helped transform the county development.
Together with him, they have changed the phase value of Kwale and its economy.
Being a woman, she has crossed many hurdles but her efforts have inspired many women into politics.
The women who once hid behind men have now secured various leadership positions with some going for bigger posts.
