Image: CHETI PRAXIDES
Outgoing Lamu Woman Representative Ruweida Obbo of Jubilee has been declared Lamu East MP-elect after defeating incumbent Athman Shariff of UDA.
Residents of Lamu East have for the first time in history elected a woman MP.
Obbo, a pilot, garnered 5,498 votes in the hotly contested race. She faced off with three male counterparts–Shariff, Shekue Kahale of Kanu and Wiper's Mohamed Madhbuti.
Shariff was first elected in 2013 as Lamu East MP on the UDF party ticket. He was reelected in 2017 on the Jubilee ticket. He later ditched Jubilee for UDA.
On Wednesday evening, Shariff lost the seat after getting 4,633 votes.
Lamu East IEBC returning officer Stephen Karani announced Obbo the winner at the Faza Secondary School constituency tallying centre.
Kahale got 3,180 votes while Madhubuti managed 1,632 votes.
Speaking after receiving her certificate, Obbo said she will repay the confidence of the people of Lamu East in her by exceeding expectations to deliver development and improve the livelihoods of residents.
"Leadership doesn't know gender. That stayed close to my heart as I ran this race. The people have spoken and have chosen me because they desire change,” she said.
“I will definitely outdo myself to bring the much-needed development in security, health, education and fishing sectors. I'm that change. It's time to get down to work.”
Obbo said women, children and people with special needs will get attention in her administration.
“Our vulnerable people will receive attention and empowerment so they can take the lead in making informed decisions to enable us to forge ahead development-wise,” she said.
In her campaigns, Obbo promised to fight drug abuse.
Edited by A.N