Coast

In 2002, out of 20 positions, Coast Province elected only 1 woman to parliament.

Bahari legislator Joe Khamisi is perhaps the only MP in the country who will fight for a second term on the strength of what he has done with the constituency development fund (CDF). But the MP may not find it smooth sailing for among the strong contenders are the chairperson of Kilifi town council, Ms Aisha Karisa, Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation Thureiya Hersi, Ms Margaret Safari and Ms Aisha Wanje. 

In Changamwe Ms Gloria Mwikali is in the race for the seat.

Ms Abishagi Namwezi will vie for the Garsen seat, held by Mr. Danson Mungatana.

Morris Dzoro will be facing at least six opponents in defending his Kaloleni seat including Mrs Beatrice Mwaringa In Lamu East Ms Shakila Abdalla hopes to change the community’s attitude towards women. She says the issue of women and religion has in the past been blown out of proportion to scare women from seeking elective posts. She is a good orator who has been very active in party politics and women affairs in the district. These attributes will come in handy during the campaigns.She will be seeking the ODM ticket against former MP Mohamed Hashim.

Lamu West is a cosmopolitan constituency whose politics will be influenced by the unfolding political re-alignments and an aspirant to look out for is Ms Noor Salim Omar (commonly known as Hababa Nuru), a retired education officer who worked as a Teacher Advisory Centre (TAC) tutor.  She used her position as the Lamu district branch chairperson of Maendeleo ya Wanawake for two terms to gain grassroots support. She will be the first woman in over 30 years to fight for the area’s seat. 

If there is one constituency in Mombasa District whose voting pattern has been predictable since the introduction of multi-party democracy in the country, then that is Likoni. Women aspirants include Margaret Akoth Olang’(ODM) and Janet Ekumbo Mbete(ODM).

Ms Lucy Muthoni Ng’ang’a will join in the race for Magarini constituency.

Najib Balala is a man under siege in his Mvita constituency. He will be fighting to ward off eight potential rivals including Ms Affia Rama who has been dinied nomination on an ODM ticket as a result of direct nomination to members of pentagon.

In Taveta, squatter and ethnic issues shape the race and MP Dr Naomi Shaban has to fight for her political survival.

The Voi seat has already attracted at least eight candidates, who are thought to be serious in their own right and among them is Esther Mshai Tolle on an ODM ticket.