Shakeel Shabbir faces an uphill task as two major clans gang up against him

Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir. (Photo: Ann Agatwa/Standard)

Shakeel Shabbir, the Asian politician who broke the racial and cultural barriers to win the Kisumu East parliamentary seat for two straight terms, is now fighting for his political survival as clannism has emerged as one of the determinants in the August elections.

The large Kolwa clan that has loyally been voting for Mr Shabbir, is now seeking a united front against the legislator who has endeared himself to the locals ever since he was nominated as a councillor an later became the town's mayor before he was elected MP.