Lamu’s youngest politician sets eyes on making it big in Kenya and beyond
Medo xplains that his success in politics and leadership, despite his young age, is due to his dedication to any role he is assigned.
Ahmed Omar Hamid, popularly known as 'Medo' is among the youngest politicians at the Lamu County Assembly whose popularity is growing by the day in Lamu and beyond.
Medo, now aged 29, began his political career in 2016 when he was only 22 years old.
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In that year, he was assigned the role of youth coordinator in the Lamu gubernatorial campaign by the Amani National Congress (ANC), whose candidate Issa Abdalla Timamy, clinched the seat.
His courage in the campaigns also led Medo to lead higher-level delegations in support of the party’s presidential candidate Musalia Mudavadi, who is now the Prime Cabinet Secretary and also the CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in President William Ruto’s government.
Medo is currently ANC's nominated MCA in the Lamu County Assembly.
His ability to discuss, analyse and defend various issues, including development Bills and fighting for the interests of Lamu residents at the county assembly has made him popular across the county.
Despite his young age, Medo has already been entrusted with several important responsibilities and positions at the national and international levels.
Firstly, he is a member of the Young Democrat Union of Africa (YDUA), an alliance that brings together youth leaders across Africa. Its meetings are mostly held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Despite his young age, Medo has already been entrusted with several important responsibilities and positions at the national and international levels. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
Youth and development
The issues that are highlighted here are youth and development, especially those related to politics, and the full involvement of young people in peace and security matters.
Medo is also the national secretary-general of the Kenya Young Members of County Assemblies (KYMCA), an association of young MCAs from all 47 county assemblies in Kenya.
He is also the ANC youth coordinator for the Coast region.
During an interview with The Eastleigh Voice, Medo said he joined politics about ten years ago, at the time as a rights defender.
“I started my politics through social and human rights activism. Even my friendship ties with Governor Issa Abdalla Timamy began the moment we met while I was a rights defender and activist. I am one of the founders of the Fast Action Movement which was fighting for the resources and land ownership rights of the Bajuni community. That's when I decided to run for the position of youth coordinator of the ANC party and I succeeded,” said Medo.
Dedication
He explains that his success in politics and leadership, despite his young age, is due to his dedication to any role he is assigned.
However, Medo advises followers, including his fellow youth, to focus on and value leadership more than politics, citing patriotism, loyalty and dedication as important recipes for advancing politically.
“We should always focus more on being leaders than being politicians. If we do that, we will go far. Let us value patriotism and dedication so that we can move forward politically,” said Medo.
In addition to politics and leadership, Medo is also an entrepreneur and financial manager.
He cites several personal challenges he faces, including a lack of resources to manage leadership, and the requisite knowledge to weigh and balance work, family, politics and business responsibilities.
When asked about his dreams for the future, Medo said his ultimate goal is to become a national leader in Kenya.
Medo was born in Lamu on September 28, 1994. He attended St. Kevin Hill Academy Primary School and then Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Secondary School in Mombasa.
He later went to Moi University where he studied business management. He is currently pursuing a PhD course at Mount Kenya University.
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