Sharlet Miriam, Who is described as Msabweni Iron lady, is stirring the already troubled waters of Jubilee Party.
The 29-year-old describes herself as an orca, a black-and-white toothed killer whale that feeds on large fish, squid, seals, other whales and dolphins. And sharks.
“People say Msambweni is now full of sharks. But what sharks fear most is the orca,” says Mariam, with a smile that tells of confidence.
Sharlet is the first woman to publicly declare interest in the Msambweni MP seat following the death of Suleiman Dori.
The battlefield is already getting crowded and survival is for the fittest.
Born at the Msambweni district hospital in Kwale county, Mariam was brought up in Kona ya Musa in Ukunda ward, where her mother lives.
Speaking the Digo language, Mariam attended Mwakigwena Primary and Likunda Primary schools before she went to Lulu high school all in Kwale county.
She later joined Moi University, Nairobi campus, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations.
Her Hope Avenue movement has put her in touch with the base and she said she now understands the needs and demands of the Msambweni people.
She is also an alumna of the Friends for Life Foundation, an education fund that sponsors needy students from the Coast region.
She says though this is her first shot in active politics, she is confident she can fill Dori’s shoes.
Being a woman does not diminish her confidence.
“In fact, being a woman motivates me more, because I have to show the world that women can be as good as or even better than men in politics,” she says.
The mother of one worked as head of protocol and executive secretary to Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko from 2017 to 2018.
She had been seconded there from her current workplace at the National Construction Authority where she has a corporate communication officer since 2014.
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Sharlett had first decided to join ODM but the environment proved hostile and she found solace in The Deputy President William Ruto’s arms.
However, things did not turn out as she expected. This is after Jubilee Party declared that it will not field a candidate in Msabweni by-election.
Earlier before the deputy president and Tuju came out to address the press, Sharlet Mariam, who decamped from ODM, caused a scene at the Jubilee Party headquarters demanding that she be handed the party’s ticket to contest in the by-election.
“It is the democratic right of the people of Msambweni to elect a leader that they think is fit to represent them in Parliament. I’m very disappointed and I’m asking Tuju to give us direction. Mimi sitoki hapa bila tikiti ya Jubilee. this is not fair where is the space of women and youth in this country,” she said.
In his address Ruto acknowledged Ms. Mariam’s quest to vie for the seat, adding that if she asks for his help in contesting for the position he will be willing to support her.
“We should have given the good lady here (Mariam) together with others a chance. But because of the decision that has already been made I sympathize with Madam Mariam…” said Ruto
“Akiniongelesha vizuri na kwa sababu sasa hatuna candidate kule Msambweni naweza kumsaidia,” said Ruto.
