By Lamu Reporter
Lamu East MP Captain Ruweida Obo Mohammed has called on politicians to abandon political violence and the use of goons during campaigns, urging them instead to focus on the issues and deliverables they intend to offer the electorate.
Speaking in Lamu today after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots nominations held in Lamu East constituency, the outspoken legislator took aim at her political opponent, former Lamu East MP Abdul Sharif Athman, accusing him of sponsoring goons to disrupt the UDA nominations in the constituency in a bid to assert his political supremacy.
Obo said politicians should instead concentrate on telling voters what they intend to deliver for them ahead of the 2027 General Election, rather than relying on goonism and political violence to gain an edge over their rivals.
“Kenyans, and Lamu East residents in particular, are tired of leaders who use violence to intimidate their way into office. What we need is a conversation about development, not a competition of who can field the most goons,” Obo said.
The UDA grassroots nominations exercise in Lamu East was largely calm, though pockets of political unrest were reported in Mbwajumwali and Pate, where isolated disruptions marred an otherwise peaceful process.
The MP urged the electorate to be wary of leaders who promote goonism, hatred and political violence, warning that electing such leaders would expose the constituency to crime and violence once they assumed elected office.
She, however, commended Lamu East voters for their growing civic and political awareness, noting that residents were increasingly clear about their needs and expectations of future leaders.
Speaking at the same event, Pate-based cleric Abdulrahman Seif backed the MP’s remarks, pointing to her development record as the standard other leaders should be measured against.
“The bar has already been set very high, with Lamu East MP Ruweida Obo being the first leader to ensure a tarmacked road is being built in Pate Island,” Seif said.
He further appealed to youth to resist being incited into carrying out political violence for small monetary tokens, warning that such actions could lead to death or imprisonment, while the politicians behind the incitement faced no such consequences.
