For years, Lamu County has stood out as one of the few regions in Kenya where voters do not give much thought to ethnicity when electing political leaders.
Compared to other counties where all elected leaders come from the local communities despite the area being cosmopolitan, Lamu has often had leaders from different ethnic backgrounds.
On October 16, Governor Issa Timamy nominated Mr James Gichu for the deputy governor position and expressed confidence in his choice, saying it was a well-considered decision that involved wide consultations.
Despite the rejection, Mr Timamy forwarded the same name to the County Assembly again on Tuesday last week.
The motion for Mr Gichu's approval, moved by Majority Leader and Bwana Mohamed Bwana (Kiunga MCA), failed to secure a simple majority in the assembly.
Only 13 out of the 19 MCAs were present at Tuesday's Lamu County Assembly session and only four voted in favour of the motion while nine voted against.
Nation.Africa has established that the vacant position has attracted interest from the indigenous communities in Lamu.
Some MCAs interviewed by the Nation admitted to rejecting Mr Gichu due to pressure from their constituents.
According to the county legislators, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, the most vocal indigenous community demanding the position is the Bajuni community.
It is worth noting that Lamu's cosmopolitan population is made up of indigenous communities, the majority of whom are Swahilis (Bajuni), Arabs, Koreni, Boni and Ormas. There are also several migrant communities such as the Kikuyu, Giriama and Pokomo.
The Swahili-Bajuni are the dominant ethnic group, closely followed by the Kikuyu, who are the second largest community in the region.
“There is pressure from the locals who do not want Gichu but rather, someone from the indigenous Bajuni community. Even the county assembly is divided on the matter. We are the representatives of the people at the assembly and we cannot act on our own but rather listen to our people,” said one of the influential MCAs.
In the 2022 general election, Mr Timamy's decision to choose the late Ndung'u as his running mate is believed to have helped him garner enough votes from the Kikuyu community, which is mainly based in Lamu West.
During his first term as governor in 2013, Mr Timamy had Eric Mugo Kinyua from the Kikuyu community as his deputy.
In 2017, his successor Fahim Twaha was deputised by Abdulhakim Aboud Bwana, a Bajuni.
An MCA from the Kikuyu community, while confirming information that ethnic politics had infiltrated the Lamu County Assembly, described it as unfortunate.
“What do people mean when they say ‘indigenous’ people should be elected to the Deputy Governor position? Both the Kikuyus and Bajunis are indigenous communities. I was born and raised here in Lamu. I have no other place to call home. Denying Mr Gichu the position based on ‘indigenous’ sentiments is a mere excuse that must stop. Both Bajunis and Kikuyus have equal rights to lead this county,” the MCA said.
Lamu Council of Elders Chairman Mohamed Mbwana told Nation.Africa that it was high time Mr Timamy considered selecting a Bajuni for the deputy governor position.
The community is backing Mohamed Hashim Salim Fumo, the former County Speaker and Lamu East MP, for the position.
“Ethnicity has always influenced the outcome of every election in this place. Lamu has its own indigenous people who are the Bajunis. We have already given a leeway where the Lamu women representative, Senator, Lamu West MP and some MCAs positions are given to Kikuyus who are also a popular tribe in this place. It is, therefore, crucial that the deputy governor position returns to the Bajuni,” said Mr Mbwana.
In 2022, the Lamu Woman Representative seat was won by Muthoni Monica Marubu, while Joseph Githuku Kamau won the senator position.
In Lamu West constituency, Stanley Muiruri Muthama won the MP position, while Ruweida Obo was elected in Lamu East.
Mr Mbwana's views were echoed by Lamu East Bajuni elder, Khaldun Vae.
Mr Vae explained that in 2022, Lamu East, where the Bajuni are the majority, they voted massively for Mr Timamy and ensured that he won the governor's seat.
“Mr Hashim, the former Lamu Assembly Speaker and former Lamu East MP, comes from Lamu East. We are confident he will serve as deputy governor. Selecting Mr Hashim from Lamu East for the deputy governor position is crucial for the Bajunis. They will at least feel recognised by Mr Timamy,” said Mr Vae.
During the session on October 16 when Mr Gichu’s name was sent to the county assembly for approvals, 18 MCAs were present in the assembly -- nine MCAs from the Bajuni community voted ‘no’ while the other nine from the Kikuyu community voted ‘yes’.
The scenario was repeated on Tuesday, when all the nine MCAs who voted against the same motion were from the Bajuni community, while the four who voted in favour of it were Kikuyu.
Emmanuel Kimwa, a politician from Lamu West, expressed disappointment at the Lamu County Assembly’s decision to reject Mr Gichu.
Mr Kimwa insisted that over the years Lamu voters have put tribal or ethnic politics aside by ensuring that they only elect leaders with the capacity and quality to deliver.
“We should not elect leaders based on tribe. Mr Gichu has served as Lamu CECM for Agriculture, Irrigation and Food Security. He is hardworking. He is the right person for the deputy governor. Even Mr Timamy himself is seeing his ability. Our MCAs should stop these ethnic politics and approve Mr Gichu,” said Mr Kimwa.
During the late Ndung'u's funeral, some politicians had also suggested that his widow, Stella Wawuda Tayo, should replace her husband as deputy governor.
Lamu educationist Edward Mbuthia expressed suspicion that the MCAs' rejection of Mr Gichu was a calculated move and directive by certain politicians to satisfy their interests.
“I know there are politicians who are trying to fight and frustrate Mr Timamy indirectly. They are using these MCAs to fight the governor by rejecting his nomination in the assembly. I mean, these MCAs are influenced by some other quarters so that they don’t pass Gichu’s name as a way of fighting Governor Timamy. That’s wrong,” said Mr Mbuthia.
