Sophia Noor defies tradition in Kenya’s north east to be elected first female MP

Sophia Noor was beat her three other rivals to become the first female MP to be elected in north eastern Kenya. Photo: Daily Nation

Sophia Abdi Noor a girls education and women issues activist broke tradition in Kenya’s north eastern region to be elected the first female lawmaker in a region which has seen men occupy elective leadership since independence.

Mrs Noor beat his close rival Ahmed Ibrahim Abass with 300 votes to win the Ijara constituency seat becoming the first lawmaker in the Somali occupied region.

The new leader topped three other candidates with 6,001 votes vying on a little known PDR party to return to the August House which she served in between 2007 and 2013 as nominated MP by ODM party.

Mrs Noor has been actively involved in girls education and women issues in the north eastern region through Womankind Kenya an outfit which she founded.

Meanwhile in Garissa Township constituency, former majority leader in the last parliament Aden Duale emerged winner garnering 22,587 votes against Farah Maalim who got 14,897 votes.