Kalonzo's top ally falls out in Kwale County ahead of primaries

juma chrispinus

April 18, 2017 10:10 AM

Last week, Wiper’s bigwig Kalonzo Musyoka had endorsed the Mwakwere and Mkalla pair at a rally in Kinango.

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Kwale County gubernatorial hopeful Ali Chirau Mwakwere has been dealt a blow after his running mate, Simon Mkalla, ditched him.

Mkalla has ditched Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), in support of Issah Chipera, a day before the party conducts its nominations in the county.

Mr Mwakwere, a former Kenyan Ambassador to Tanzania, resigned from Tanzania early this year to join politics to unseat Governor Salim Mvurya on a Wiper ticket.

The turnaround is a boost for Chipera who will be facing off with Kwale County Assembly Speaker Sammy Ruwa, former Permanent Secretary for Forestry and Wildlife Mohammed Mwarapayo wa Mwachai and Businessman James Gereza Dena in tomorrow’s ODM nominations.

Also Read: Kwale gubernatorial aspirant Chirau Mwakwere ditches Raila’s party

Mr Mkalla has not immediately said why he made a U-turn despite the fact that Mwakwere will not be subjected to a nomination.

He, however, hinted at offering to support Chipera as his running mate saying their government, if elected, will prioritize job creation for the youth in the county.

“Our government will ensure both skilled and unskilled youth get job opportunities the better their living standards,” he said at St Joseph Hall in Ukunda after joining Chipera.

Mkalla unsuccessfully run for governorship in 2013 coming in second after the incumbent Salim Mvurya.

According to Issah Chipera, Mkalla may have ditched Mwakwere since he joined Wiper contrary to the expectation of many that he would vie for the seat in ODM.

“When Mwakwere was in Tanzania, Mkalla was representing him as his deputy in all the ODM meetings. But when Mwakwere came back he stayed in ODM for only two weeks and jumped to Wiper that is why Mkalla has come back because he cannot leave ODM,” said Chipera.

juma chrispinus