Governor Achani's smooth rise to county helm where many of her peers failed

Fatuma Achani receives the county flag from outgoing governor Salim Mvurya after being sworn in on August 25, 2022. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

"She has the experience having worked closely with me and learnt my leadership style, and I can trust her with the lives of Kwale people. Do not experiment with a person who has not demonstrated leadership," Mvurya stated.

Achani, who was elected on a UDA ticket, has publicly attributed her victory to the support she received from Mvurya.

On August 13, last year, Ms Achani wrote on her social media account, "Allah has given us a win. A win for the first young, female, Muslim governor in the region and in the country."

When she met MCAs on August 22, last year, Ms Achani called on competitors and the residents to focus on development after the gruelling political battle. "Politics is over. It is time we come together for the good of our county," she said.

Achani was born in Kingwede village in Msambweni sub-county in a humble family.

She was Mvurya's running mate in 2013 and went on to win the Kwale governor seat on an ODM ticket.

After about four and half years, the two fell out with the ODM leadership and technically joined Jubilee Party and won the 2017 elections.

Ms Achani holds a law degree from Moi University and a diploma from the Kenya School of Law. She went to Kingwede primary school and Mama Ngina Girls High.