• Nassir's journey into politics was influenced by his late father, Shariff Nassir.
• Aside from politics, he also doubles up as the Chief Executive officer of Rahma Radio based in Mombasa.
Image: JOHN CHESOLI
After 10 years of serving as Mvita MP, Abdulwasmad Shariff Nassir is now Mombasa County's second governor.
Nassir has succeeded his long-time friend, Hassan Joho who has served as governor for two terms.
Nassir's journey into politics was influenced by his late father, Shariff Nassir.
The late Nassir died in November 2005. He was a staunch supporter of the Kanu party and former President Daniel Moi, who made him a powerful politician in the Coast region and the country at large.
He came up with the slogan “Wapende Wasipende” (like it or not) and ended up being the longest-serving Mombasa Kanu chairman and served as MP for Mvita for 24 years.
He also served as an assistant minister and Cabinet minister in the Moi era.
However, his son has now walked beyond his father’s footsteps to become governor.
After joining politics, Nassir was elected Mvita MP in 2013 on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party ticket, defeating the now Tourism CS Najib Balala.
In the 2017 general elections, Nassir successfully defended his seat on an ODM Party ticket.
At the National Assembly, he has served as the Public Investment Committee (PIC) chairperson.
On May 2, 2022, Nassir's bid to become Governor of Mombasa received a mega boost after Joho announced him as his preferred successor.
Joho said Nassir was best suited to take over the mantle after the general elections, adding that he had no doubt about his leadership.
Aside from politics, he also doubles up as the Chief Executive officer of Rahma Radio based in Mombasa.
In his manifesto, Nassir unveiled a five-point plan that will go a long way in eliminating drug addiction in the coastal county.
He said 15 per cent of ‘Skills Mtaani” opportunities – a proposed vocational training programme – will be reserved for recovering addicts to enable them to get means of survival.
The Mombasa governor-elect said he would also set up Methadone Centres in every constituency to make them more accessible to addicts undergoing recovery.
Nassir further noted that his administration will strengthen the needle exchange programme to help reduce cases of transmission of other deadly diseases.
He added that his administration would also roll out a drug rehabilitation subsidy to support existing facilities to offer the services affordably.