Captain Ruweida Mohammed, a pilot since 1999 who has flown prominent politicians in the country, is the Lamu East Member of Parliament elect.

She quit her high-flying career to focus on politics when she was still serving as Lamu Woman Representative.

Ruweida, who was running on a Jubilee party ticket, garnered 5,498 votes in a hotly contested race.She was the only female candidate battling it out with the outgoing MP Sharif Athman Ali of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

 Other contestants included Wipers Mohamed Madhubuti and Kombo Shekuwe Kahale of KANU.

Her win was announced by the Lamu East Constituency Returning Officer Stephen Karanai at Faza Secondary constituency tallying centre.

Ruweida was happy that the electorate chose her without voting along gender lines, promising development in the area.

“I was the only female contestant in this particular race but I wasn’t deterred. I knew the time had come for Lamu East to vote for change. I thank everyone for believing in women’s leadership.

“I want to assure you that I will do all it takes to ensure Lamu East constituency attains the change you deserve in terms of development, education, security, infrastructure, health, water and fishing among others,” Ruweida stated.

Ruweida has in the past flown prominent politicians including the Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga and outgoing Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho among others.

She made her first entry into politics in 2017 while still flying, winning the Lamu Woman Representative seat on a Jubilee Party ticket.

Lamu County is divided into two constituencies, Lamu East and West.