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Lamu Woman Representative Ruweida Obbo, a commercial pilot, knows what it's like to fly high, break glass ceilings and shatter stereotypes.
She wants to do the same as she seeks to become the first woman MP for Lamu East, known for poverty, crime, drugs, illiteracy, low education levels and oppressed women.
She gets her hands dirty laying bricks as she lays bricks and launches a school construction project in Siyu, Lamu East. Men stand around and stare, one grins. Women stand at a distance, smiling, one raises her hand to cheer her on.
Lamu East has never had a woman MP or elected official and Obbo wants to become the first Bajuni woman to run for the seat. She thinks she can get it because previous representatives have done virtually nothing for their constituents, she said.
Male chauvinism have traditionally dominated the region.
The Bajuni-Swahili cullture forbids women from standing up to men and asserting themselves.
Obbo is seeking the Jubilee ticket under the Azimio movement, aiming to unset incumbent Sharif Athman of United Democratic Alliance or UDA. He has held the position since 2013.
Lamu East constituency is predominantly Muslim, mostly Swahilis of Bajuni origin.
Obbo, aged about 43, aims to improve life for women and youth and uplift the subcounty plagued by drugs, crime, poverty, illiteracy and low education level.s
Born in 1978 in Tchundwa village in Lamu East, Obbo went to Ndau Primary School in Lamu East before joining Coast Girls for her secondary education.
Obbo is married to Mohamed Bwana from Tchundwa village in Lamu East and they have one child.Her husband works in the archives department of the Kenya Ports Authority.
Obbo says her husband has been her biggest supporter in her political journey, support many women don’t receive from their spouses.
“My husband guides me and encourages me to pursue my ambitions. He is always urging me to keep going even when I was at my lowest and felt I couldn't do it. He's my biggest blessing," she said.
Born in a humble family, Obbo was able to complete her flying course at the Kenya School of Flying through the help of well-wishers and numerous loans. Her family couldn't afford to help.
She joined the Kenya School of Flying to become a professional commercial pilot. Her college allowed her to study for free until she got a pilot's job and could pay her fees.
Obbo is a pilot by profession and is also the first Bajuni woman to qualify as a professional pilot from Lamu county.
She has worked as a pilot for Mombasa Air Safari and Eronav.
I want to prove sexuality has nothing to do with leadership and solving problems t plaguing us since Independence. I am taking that seat and changing perceptions
Obbo made her political debut in 2013 when she ran for woman representative on a TNA ticket but lost to Shakila Aballa.
She succeeded in 2017 and won the seat from Abdalla of the Wiper Democratic Movement.
Obbo said she believes she has the experience, determination and skill to chip away at the the male chauvinist culture that has for years held Bajune women hostage. It has prevented them from daring to seek political office.
“I want to use myself as an example and show our women we can do it," Obbo told the Star in an interview.
"I want to prove sexuality has nothing to do with leadership and seeking to solve problems that have plagued us since Independence. I am taking that seat and changing perceptions," she said, without mincing words.
Obbo's manifesto calls for empowering Lamu women and youth in education, poverty eradication, business and harmonious coexistence of all communities in Lamu.
“With the woman rep seat, it becomes obvious that a woman is going to take it because there is no male competition. But with these other competitive seats, we square off on a level platform and show everyone we can do it," she said.
I am a woman on a mission and I know I hold the solution for the people of Lamu East. Let them try me for a change, they won't go wrong
Obbo said she will not stand down and let outdated culture deny her a chance to restore the lost hope of Lamu East.
She said her predecessors have not don't much to bring change, resolve problems plaguing the region and improve lives.
“I am a woman on a mission and I know that I hold the solution for the people of Lamu East. Let them try me for a change, they won't go wrong,” Obbo said.
She has a simple political plan in which she attends social events, including weddings, community gatherings and barazas. She makes house-to-house visits, selling her manifesto to voters.
As an MP, she said, she will be able to better address issues of insecurity and radicalisation that have left an ugly mark on the face of Lamu East for years.
“We also want to end marginalisation of the constituency. The issue of security is among my top priorities and I promise tangible change," she said.
As opposed to the Lamu West MP seat, which has attracted more than 10 aspirants, the Lamu East race has only three, including the incumbent, Obbo and ODM politician Shekuwe Kahale.
Others who have served as Lamu East MP include Kanu politicians Abubakar Madhubuti, Mzamil Omar, Abu Chiaba, Mohamed Salim Hashim, and incumbent Sharif ‘Mzalendo’ Athman Ali of Jubilee.
Lamu East has more than 18,000 registered voters.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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