The choice of running mate and ethnicity are expected to play a major role in the contest for the Lamu governorship. Lamu, one of the six coastal counties is the least populous in Kenya with a population of 143,920, according to the 2019 census.

It only has two constituencies; Lamu East and Lamu West. Lamu East is inhabited by the Bajunis while Lamu West is largely dominated by the Kikuyu community.

The incumbent, Fahim Twaha of Jubilee which is under Azimio Coalition, will battle it out with ex- Governor Issa Timamy, who is seeking to reclaim the seat on an Amani National Congress (ANC) which is under Kenya Kwanza coalition. Former Deputy Governor Eric Mugo is also contesting against his former boss on Narc-Kenya party.

Umra Omar, a humanitarian and community conservation strategist who was named top 10 CNN Hero in 2016 and Person of the Year by UN in 2017 is also seeking to unseat Twaha on Safina party.

Twaha who mostly enjoys political backing from Lamu West chose Haji Mahmoud from Lamu East to deputise him, dropping his current Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud.

Timamy chose former CEC in Twaha’s government Raphael Munyua to deputise him.He comes from Mpeketoni, Lamu West. Umra, who comes from Lamu East, chose former Lamu West MP Julius Ndegwa to deputize him in the contest.

Mugo, a former Deputy Governor to Timamy, has chosen Dickson KEY ISSUES Lamu, one of the six coastal counties is the least populous in Kenya with a population of 143,920 people, according to the 2019 census. Key issues include land issues, insecurity, education, health and blue economy.

Fondo, a Mijikenda who also comes from Lamu West to deputize him. In 2017, there were 69,776 registered voters in the county. Twaha won against four other candidates, garnering 22,972 (47 per cent) of the valid votes cast. Governor Fahim has expressed confidence in retaining the seat saying his track record speaks for itself.

“I have done a good job compared to those running against me, I have delivered on my promises and handled the resources in a prudent manner,” he said. The governor takes pride in the scholarship programme which covers all students who attain 300 marks and above and issuance of bursaries.

“We are also the only county that has actualised universal healthcare by providing NHIF cards to 16,000 families… we have also empowered the youths through TVETS and also connected water to houses in Lamu East ending a decade-long water shortage,” he said.

Timamy hopes his previous track record will see him return to the office and also banks on the support of various communities in the area.

“I will also resolve land issues in the county. During his first term, he recovered 355,000 acres that had been grabbed,…when you resolve land issues, you also resolve insecurity in the county,” said his running mate Munyua.

He says that Timamy would also ensure that all kids from poor backgrounds get education scholarships. “We will have monitoring of those under scholarship and provide mentorship…we will also have a component for university for those who perform well… this will motivate them to study hard,” he said.

Top priorities

Umra Omar, the only woman candidate in the race, wants to unite grassroots leadership and represent and unite both Muslims and Christians. She is running on her slogan Lamu Moja.

According to her, she will pursue development-centred politics. She says that access to healthcare and education, land rights and conserving the environment are her top priorities.

Mugo says that being the first deputy governor, he has the experience and was in the team that came up with the structures of the county government.

“I know which pillar was set where and for what reason and I’m able to gauge what we achieved and which area we performed dismally,” he