From beggar to 3-term MCA: Fatma Kushe’s journey

Kadzandani MCA Fatma Kushe moved thousands to tears on Saturday as she narrated her life story from being a street beggar to a threeterm MCA.

Considered by many as a rabble-rouser but with a heart of gold, Kushe said she suffered humiliation in the streets, where she used to beg for food and money.

However, she did not give up in life and believed one day she would be an important person in society. She is now eyeing Nyali MP seat.

“It is God Almighty who blesses and a good leader is one who lifts others from where they are to a higher level,” Kushe said.

She spoke at Jubilee Hall in Mvita subcounty where Mining CS Hassan Joho delivered iftar food for more than 3,000 Mombasa residents.

“I was downtrodden. I thank God and I also thank my mother the late Ummu Kulthum, who took me in and lived with me in love,” Kushe said.

Kulthum, who died in October 2010, was CS Joho’s mother. “In the past, I was a vagabond. But today, I am an honourable member,” she said.

“Every time I remember where I came from, I feel like crying. Most times I cry.”

With a quaking voice, Kushe said Joho and his family taught her vital lessons in life that she will hold dear and keep in her heart forever.

Born Fatma Swaleh Mote in Changamwe, Mombasa, the mother of five is little known by her actual name. However, mention Kushe, a nickname given to her by Kulthum, and it all comes to mind – the rabble-rouser.

It is that nickname that has become her identity and she uses it in honour of Kulthum, to whom she attributes her success.

“She was a mother to all. She took me as her own daughter and for that I am forever grateful. I learnt a lot from her,” she said.

After struggling through education, she could not find a job. Life was so hard that she could not raise Sh700 rent for a store she had secured as her house in someone’s compound in Mtopanga, Kisauni.

“I started walking the streets begging from strangers,” Kushe said.

She would at times sleep hungry or get meals from neighbours and friends. One Friday, she followed fellowbeggars and found herself in Kulthum’s house in Likoni, near the Aga Khan Hospital, where many of them used to go for food and on a good day, an extra Sh50 or Sh100 for fare.

Kulthum, Kushe said, saw something in her and retained her as her house help, after narrating her struggles.

While at Kulthum’s house, she watched Joho’s political moves and in the 2013 general election she tried her luck in the Frere Town MCA seat.

She lost but Joho, who had become the first Mombasa governor, ensured she was nominated to the county assembly through ODM.

In 2017, she once again tried her luck but this time in Kadzandani ward. She once again lost and was once again nominated to the assembly. In 2022, she was at it again in Kadzandani ward but this time she was lucky.

“I thank God for giving me a neversay-die heart. In life, it is important to not give up. Strive to do what you want to do to achieve what you want to achieve,” Kushe said.

She said Joho and his mother pulled her out of poverty.

“God has given us a leader in Joho. And Bwana CS, in Kadzandani, we have a lot of problems, especially land problems. I know you can help solve them even though it is not your docket,” Kushe appealed.

“Because you are in William Ruto’s government, I believe my Kadzandani people and those in the entire Mombasa county will get titles to their lands.”