Written By Ramadhan Kambi 📝
The show of supremacy between Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and ODM gubernatorial candidate Gideon Mungaro was evident when the two leaders clashed during a burial in Jilore, Malindi constituency.
Addressing mourners during the burial of late Mzee Ngao Ngala in Jilore, Malindi Sub-county Mr Mung’aro told Ms Aisha to her face that there is no senior politician in Kilifi other than him and that the Malindi MP still has a lot of journey to learn in the world of politics.
It all began after Jilore MCA Daniel Chai, who is currently running for the Malindi on a UDA ticket first invited Mr Mung’aro instead of Ms Jumwa claiming that Ms Jumwa was the most senior politician who had attended the burial, a statement that visible angered Mr Mung’aro who served the region when he was the Malindi MP.
“I want to tell the area MCA that if you mean the most senior politician among those in attendance here, then it is me and no any other person amongst us and not only in Malindi but in the entire Coast region. So if you were trying to play some games here then you were wrong, Mr Mung’aro told Mr Chai.
The former lands and also devolution CAS outlined his achievements when he was the Malindi MP including the formation of Lango Baya division and told his competitors in the gubernatorial race that he has all it takes to defeat them in August.
“Those who know me can attest that when I was the area MP, I concentrated too much on Lango Baya culminating in the formation of the division. So Mr Chai, I am not new in this place and those competing with me have to prove themselves to the people,” he said.
He told his competitors who have been spreading lies about him to prepare for the next week debate for gubernatorial candidates where he promised to spill the beans about them for the people of Kilifi to know them better.
” I know you have been talking a lot of things to me when I am not around. You can now go ahead and speak because I am here. But I can assure you that we shall meet at the Governor s debate next week where I shall share your data for the people of Kilifi to know before they make an informed decision,” added Mung’aro.
When she rose to address the mourners Ms Jumwa responded by telling the crowd that she was the most senior politician because she has never lost an election in an apparent reference to Mr Mung’aro who lost the gubernatorial seat to Governor Amason Kingi in the 2017 General Election. Mr Mung’aro then vied on a Jubilee ticket.
“Positions come and go and are not permanent. So whether you are a senior politician or not and by the way I am the senior one among those of us today here. Do you know why?. First I am a Commissioner of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), a sitting MP and Kilifi s incoming governor and that is why they have always called me ‘Kigogo'(heavyweight). So those sitting here are all my juniors in that rating, simply because I am a politician who has never lost an election. So my experience has surpassed all those who are seated here today,” she said.
Ms Jumwa quoted a section of the Bible that says there is time for birth and death, time to cry and time to laugh saying that it is time that Kilifi now votes for a woman governor.
Others in attendance during the burial included Kilifi Woman Rep Gertrude Mbeyu and several aspiring politicians in the August General Election.
As the clock ticks towards the August General Election, Kilifi County has not been spared the theatrics of politics. Currently, three governors have emerged as strong contenders for the top seat.
They include Gideon Mung’aro(ODM), Aisha Jumwa(UDA) and George Kithi (PAA). Each of the politicians has upped their campaigns traversing the entire county seeking for votes.
All the gubernatorial candidates are slotted for a debate at Pwani University next week where they are expected to outline their visions for Kilifi County.
