As the Msambweni by-election nears to its end on the 15th of this month, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kwale counterpart Salim Mvurya have literally emerged as the face of the by-election. This is after the two leaders’ decided to go into full throat, each supporting their candidate of their choice. – By Ramadhan Kambi.
Governor Joho who is also the Deputy Party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is campaigning for the election of Omar Boga. Governor Mvurya on the other hand has clutched his straw, drumming support for an Independent candidate Feisal Abdalla, who has the support of Deputy President William Ruto.
Governor Joho has to work hard and ensure that the seat is retained by the ODM party in which it’s former MP the late Suleiman Dori was a member.
The two governors met face to face recently at a burial in Bodo as they campaigned for their respective candidates.
Mr Mvurya has been uneasy with the entrance of Joho in the county insisting that the Mombasa boss has been interfering with Kwale affairs.
While campaigning at Mulungunipa village, Mr Mvurya urged voters to elect Bader to guarantee continuity of Msambweni development plans in the honour of the late legislator.
“Mr Boga works with outsiders unlike Mr Bader who has the feeling of the people at heart. So don’t waste your time in voting Mr Boga because he will care less once elected,” Governor Mvurya said.
Mr Mvurya also asked voters not to be swayed by a political party wave. Governor Joho has pitched camp in the constituency drumming support for the election of the ODM candidate.
He rallied the Msambweni residents to vote for Boga, who he marketed as the handshake candidate.
“Mr Boga has the political experience needed to lead the people of Msambweni. This is the leader you can entrust with leadership and not the other candidate who has nothing to do with the Msambweni candidate,” said Mr Joho.
Boga’s fierce rival, Bader, who is a nephew to the MP Suleiman Dori said if elected he will complete all the projects initiated by the late.
Other candidates in the race to win the seat are independents Charles Bilali and Mansury Kumaka. Others are Shee Abdulrahman (Wiper), Hassan Mwakulonda (Party of Economic Democracy), Khamis Mwakaonje (United Green Movement) and Marere Wamwachai (National Vision Party).
