Kwale County gubernatorial race

Salim Mvurya Mkala, 43 is the Governor of Kwale County. He was born at Kadzandani Village, Mwatate Location, Kasemeni Division, Kinango District of Kwale County.

He went to Mavirivirini Primary School in 1979 then Mpeketoni Secondary School from 1987 to 1990.

He then proceeded to Egerton University for his first degree and graduated with Bachelors in Agri-Business Management in 1996.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Participation, Power and Social Change from the Institute Of Development Studies, University of Sussex in England, UK.

He also has further certificates in NGO management from MSTDC- Arusha, Tanzania. Mvurya possesses strong leadership and management skills backed by 17 years of development experience.

Salim Mvurya has 17 years of social Development and leadership experience. In the year 2008, he had an opportunity to be the Acting Country Director for Plan International Kenya. Other organizations he has worked for include Aga Khan Foundation and Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development (an institute of Egerton University).

His working experience has enabled him to gain experiences in staff management, program management, resource mobilization and fundraising, operational management, financial management as well as influencing policy at local, national and international level.

Over the years he has designed and implemented development programs in Education, Health, Livelihoods, Child Protection and Democratic Governance centered on citizens participation in decision making processes and policy advocacy.

Some of the programs he implemented were funded by DFID, USAID, Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Netherlands and Finland, and NORAD, Norway.

Chirau Ali Mwakwere is the immediate Kenyan ambassador to Tanzania and he resigned to join politics in the run up for the August elections.

Born on June 15, 1945 in Kwale, Mr Mwakwere is known diplomat who once served as the Foreign Minister between June 2004 and December 2005. He also served as the Transport Minister in December 2005, when serious problems within the National Rainbow Coalition caused a cabinet reshuffle.

He joined the government as an ambassador in several countries in 1967.

He was a member of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) until 2002, rising to the rank of deputy leader, but he left to join the new opposition National Rainbow Coalition which won the 2002 elections.

Mwakwere’s ministerial position extended into the Mwai Kibaki regime. He served as the Minister of Transport in the protracted 2007/2008 presidential elections.

On February 5, 2010, Mwakwere lost his cabinet and parliamentary seat. This was due to a petition filed by a voter, Ayub Juma Mwakesi, who wanted the election of Mwakwere nullified, citing that the entire election process was marred by irregularities.

The ruling that nullified Mwakwere's election in the bungled 2007 election was made by High Court Judge, Justice Mohamed Ibrahim.

A subsequent by-election was held on July 12, 2010. Mwakwere retained the seat by beating his closest rival, Hassan Mwanyoha of ODM.

He sings during campaign rallies and his favorite mobilizing tune is commonly referred to 'Zipapa Zipapa'.He later joined the UHURUTO team in the 2013 general elections which won the Presidency.

Mr Mwakwere is married to a Ugandan Rose Batsigira..