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Fatma Kushe: MCA, mother and rabble-rouser with a heart of gold

The vagabond and beggar became a househelp for the family of Hassan Joho’s mother.

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by BY BRIAN OTIENO @Yobramos4

North-eastern18 April 2024 - 08:33
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In Summary


  • The MCA for Kadzandani in the Mombasa, struggled through education but could not find a job
  • Kushe is known as an activist for those in need of help
Fatma Kushe

Fatma Kushe used to sleep hungry or beg for meals from neighbours and friends. Today she helps others in need of food, housing, work and comfort.

“I thank God for giving me a never-say-die heart. In life, it is important to not give up. Strive to do what you want to do to achieve what you want to achieve,” Kushe told the Star in an interview.

The MCA for Kadzandani in Mombasa struggled through education but could not find a job.

"Life was so hard that I could not raise Sh700 rent for a store I had secured as my house in a compound in Mtopanga,” she said.

“I started walking the streets, borrowing from strangers. I was basically a vagabond.”

One Friday, she followed other beggars and found herself in Kizingo, in the house of Umma Kulthum.

Kulthum regularly fed the needy and on a good day, would give an extra Sh50 or Sh100 as fare.

After hearing of her life struggles, Kulthum was moved and later employed Kushe for housework. That was in the early ’90s.

In the years that followed, Kushe would work as domestic help in many other homes, but maintained a strong relationship with Kulthum that lasted years. 

"She was a mother to all. She took me as her own daughter and for that I am forever grateful. I learnt a lot from her,” the MCA says.

Kulthum was influential, Kushe says, and helped people get employment, but not her. 

"For a long time, I saw her take people to the Mombasa port where they were employed.

"So one day, after many years of service, I asked her why she did not take me to work at the port as I was loyal while others who came after me had been taken to the port."

Kulthum’s response was not what she had expected, but it changed Kushe’s thinking.

"She told me my destiny will come."

As domestic help, Kushe landed in the employ of a politician's mother. The politician was former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho, who would later influence her political career. 

While working for Joho's mother, Kushe befriended a househelp in one of the neighbour's homes. After finishing her chores, she would routinely visit her new friend and while away the time. The neighbour was a businessman named Kushe.

The MCA, born Fatma Swaleh Mote, narrates that her numerous visits to Kushe's house earned her the name. Often, Kulthum would look for her, only to find her at Kushe's home. 

“This Fatma! Every time she is at Kushe’s house. Is she a Kushe, too? Maybe she is Fatma Kushe,” Kulthum joked. 

The name Fatma Kushe stuck, following her into politics when she later became an MCA.

Kushe is known as an activist for those in need of help.

“I know what it means to have nothing and that is why I help out whenever I can when someone asks me for help.”

The MCA ventured into politics under [the late] Kisauni MP Karisa Maitha. But the tide turned years later, after she met Joho through his mother.

Kushe keenly watched Joho’s political moves and tried her luck for the Frere Town MCA seat in the 2013 general election. She lost, but Joho ensured she was nominated to the county assembly through ODM, where he is deputy leader.

In 2017, the MCA vied again, this time in Kadzandani ward. She lost again and was again nominated to the assembly. In 2022, it was third time lucky. She was elected MCA for Kadzandani.

The MCA attributes much of her good fortunes to the former governor and his mother. 

"Joho is not in power anymore but he is the one who removed me from poverty and made me be able to remove other people from poverty. That is my sole mission, to be able to remove people from poverty.” 

The MCA believes in lending a hand where she can, saying she values humanity over money.

“A good leader or any good person is one who is remembered for their good deeds.

"Before I was elected, I secured a job for a man who lived in a poor family of persons with disability," the MCA said.

"After a few weeks on the job, his father died and suddenly he became the sole bread winner. That always makes me feel proud and thankful to God that He enabled me help him.”

Kushe says she lives by five rules that she follows with all her heart:   

Rule 1: you must be close to Allah.

Rule 2: you must respect your parents.

Rule 3: you must eat well.

Rule 4: you must love yourself and

Rule 5: you must enjoy the life Allah has given you and you must use that life to help others.

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