As Msambweni voters prepare to go for a by-election next Tuesday, all eyes are now on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto who are expected in the region to drum up support for their candidates. – By Ramadhan Kambi.
The two leaders have been marshaling their foot soldiers to the ground to woo the electorates in a bid to fill the vacant following the death of its former MP Suleiman Dori.
The bitter political rivals will have separate campaign rallies to woo more than 68,000 voters to back their respective candidates in the December 15, mini-poll.
Mr Odinga who supports Omar Boga is expected to pitch tent on Thursday while Mr Ruto is expected to jet in the constituency on Saturday to campaign for Independent candidate Feisal Bader.
Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani are on the ground campaigning for Mr Bader.
“Respect Our Locals”
On Wednesday, Governor Mvurya had to refute claims by ODM that he had barred Mombasa Governor from campaigning in Kwale.
“We have not stopped anyone from campaign in Kwale County. What we are saying is that even as other leaders come to campaign in this county, they should uphold the respect of the locals,” said Mvurya.
He at one time read a short text message welcoming Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi to campaign in his county.
“I allowed Governor Kingi to come and campaign and Kwale is known for our generosity. We don’t chase away visitors. But we are saying that should they come, they should also respect the locals here,” he said as he campaigned for Feisal Bader
Mr Mvurya said they are not intimidated by the ODM party as he alleges plans to rig the elections.
He said they will be alert and guard all votes cast and ensure their candidate win.
“Our opponents knows best to insult, drama and entertainment but we are good in development. Some are openly insulting me what will they do to you when they get elected? We know they are planning to interfere with elections but we are ready to face them head on,” he said.
Hired Goons
Ms Achani claimed that politicians from other regions have continued to campaign in the area insulting county leadership who have good development record instead of helping them.
“We will not allow hired goons to disrupt the prevailing peace by insulting county leadership,” she said, urging the residents to elect Mr Bader to continue the late MP Suleiman Dori legacy.
Mr Mvurya and his Deputy were accompanied by MPs Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Mohammed Ali (Nyali) and Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) and former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar while campaigning in Bodo, Viungujini, Nganja, Sawa Sawa and Kisichande villages.
Mr Omar said electing Bader is equally supporting Mvurya’s leadership in the national politics because of his development record compared top his Mombasa counterpart.
“Coast region will soon be employing people from Kwale because of Mvurya education performance in the area while other counties are bringing musicians for entertainment,” he claimed.
Ms Jumwa urged residents to shun party politics by voting in Mr Bader as their next MP.
“Let us rescue Coast region from ODM dictatorship by supporting Mr Bader,” she said.
The Nyali legislator Mr Ali echoed similar sentiments urging locals to back Mr Bader.
“Those planing to steal votes will be in a rude shock because Msambweni is safe under Mr Bader who will steer development programmes,” he said.
ODM candidate Mr Boga was in Kinondo accompanied by former Mombasa gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shabaal and a host of other ODM leaders.
Mr Shabaal said that Kwale and Mombasa are connected in business and that they can’t be separated since majority of Kwale people work in Mombasa.
He wondered why some Kwale leaders where questioning their presence in Msambweni politics.
“We are here to ensure that Mr Boga wins the by-election because he is the best candidate to bring development because of his vast experience in politics,” he said.
Several leaders allied to Mr Odinga led by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi have been leading the ODM campaigns in the constituency.
