By Shaban Omar
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has once again opened up about the intimidation and resistance she faced from state administrators during the 2022 election campaigns.
Speaking on Friday, May 1, 2026 during a prize-giving ceremony at Kinango Boys Senior School in Kinango Sub-County, Achani said a section of local administrators openly worked against her gubernatorial bid.
She was accompanied by Youth CS Salim Mvurya, the former Kwale Governor under whom Achani served as Deputy for 10 years.
Achani told parents and teachers gathered at the event that some Deputy County Commissioners, commissioners, and chiefs were part of a network that attempted to frustrate her path to the top county seat.
“Some of the DCCs, commissioners and even chiefs were against my leadership,” she said, pausing briefly as she scanned the crowd.
Achani, who succeeded Mvurya, said the period was one of the toughest in her political life, claiming that almost all local power structures were aligned against her.
She noted that only a few individuals, including President William Ruto, stood by her during the turbulent campaign season.
Achani said a section of men in local leadership had united to block her political rise in 2022, but she overcame the hostility through hard work, a strong development record, and faith.
She said the same forces are now orchestrating a fresh smear campaign aimed at undermining her administration.
She claimed that some of her political opponents are spreading hatred and attempting to tarnish her reputation, even influencing school administrators against inviting her for academic events.
According to the governor, several school principals have grown hesitant to include her in their programmes due to what she described as negative energy being pushed by those seeking to discredit her leadership.
Despite the attacks, Achani insisted that her performance in office remains her strongest shield and said her development track record continues to resonate with Kwale residents.
She dismissed attempts to unseat her as null and void, warning that the 2027 contest would be a fierce battle.
“Do you think there is anyone who can beat me, if I managed to defeat them when I was just a Deputy Governor?” she posed to the crowd.
She added that her opponents are day-dreaming, questioning what achievements they will present to the electorate, despite some of them having previously served in the National Government of Kenya in various capacities.
Achani argued that those criticizing her have little to show for their time in public office, unlike her administration which she maintains has delivered tangible development across Kwale County.
She added that her opponents are jealous that they were defeated by a young woman and that at her age has made a record in delivering to the people compared to them.
Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo criticised what he termed a coordinated effort by senior men in local leadership to fight a woman in power.
He said it was shocking that many of those opposing Governor Achani have lived in the county for decades and previously held influential positions yet failed to bring meaningful transformation.
“Someone was born here, lived for 80 years and did nothing. And now they are claiming they want to rescue Kwale and bring change isn’t that ironic?” he said.
Kombo said Kwale residents have already made up their minds and will not be swayed from their pursuit of development.
He accused Achani’s rivals of lacking a concrete agenda and instead resorting to spreading political hatred and sowing division.
He further mocked some of the governor’s critics who brand themselves as learned, arguing that true leadership is demonstrated through tangible impact not academic titles.
Kombo said that, in his view, the real professors are Achani and Mvurya because of the development milestones they have delivered for the people.
“They told us we are not learned, that’s okay. But the real professors are Achani and Mvurya because they have touched the hearts of the Kwale people,” he said.
Mvurya also rallied his support behind Achani’s bid for a second term, describing her as a hardworking leader and the right person to continue transforming Kwale.
He said the governor has demonstrated the capacity to deliver and deserves another mandate from the electorate.
The CS urged local administrators and school heads to stay away from partisan politics and refuse to be used by individuals he claimed have no development agenda beyond sowing division and hatred.
Governor Fatuma Achani addresses residents at Kinango Boys senior school in Kinango sub-county, Kwale County on Friday, May 1, 2026.
