Written By Ramadhan Kambi | |
It is now clear that the Kilifi gubernatorial seat is headed for a major battle after a number of politicians’ eyeing the seat decided to join forces for the same.
Four gubernatorial candidates in Kilifi County have decided to support one of their own, in case there will be unfair nominations in the party primaries set for April this year.
Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi of the Orange Democratic Movement(ODM), Baha Nguma of Kadu Asili, Michael Tinga of UDA, and Dzombo Mbaru who is yet to declare the party he is going to view with have agreed to form a coalition so as to work together after the nominations and front one of them as the flag bearer.
The decision comes at a time when parties like ODM announced they might give direct nominations to loyal candidates, creating fear among other aspirants that there would be no fair nominations.
Tough Call
In the ODM Nominations, Saburi is going to face off with Devolution Chief Administrative Secretary Gideon Mung’aro, Speaker Jimmy Kahindi who recently joined the party, and Kenyan Envoy to Tanzania Dan Kazungu.
The UDA candidate is of the opinion that the ticket could be given directly to vocal Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa who is a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto.
The four announced during the launch of Azimio la Mageuzi Kilifi an initiative of the Deputy Governor at his home in Rabai which brought together residents, Kaya elders, former MCAs, religious leaders, and opinion leaders from the constituency.
Eng Saburi had also convened the meeting to ‘get blessing’ and be officially given a go-ahead by his family to go for the Kilifi top position as he would no longer be for Rabai alone but for the people.
Based on the talks that were going on it is likely that the three aspirants will throw their weight in support of Saburi after the nominations.
The Deputy Governor said talks are in top gear among them and soon they will make a big announcement which will chant the way forward for the gubernatorial seat in the quest to succeed outgoing Governor Amason Kingi.
He was also quick to note that it will not be a walk in the park during the nomination as he would use all his muscles to beat the other candidates who he described as new to the party and unclean.
‘Iam Their Senior’
He said one of his competitors just joined the party recently while the other two left the part after the 2013 General elections and were coming back now just because Governor Kingi was no longer in the party and think they will get a smooth ride.
“We are talking but am their senior I told them to wait for t and drop their ambitions in my favor and wait in future they will also go for it,” he said.
Saburi said the three other candidates were professionals who want to join the political ground to help the people but can still go back to their work if they lose, unlike the others who cannot do without politics.
The Deputy Governor said he was prepared to battle with the opponents in ODM so as to win the ticket to run for governor in August.
“I was all alone in ODM as the rest had run away from the party in the race for the governor, some were not there and others had left but came back, more is expected to come some insulted the party, Raila and now they are the same who are back,” he said.
On his Part, Nguma of Kadu Asili said he fully supports Saburi because he is a person of integrity who is dedicated to serving the people of Kilifi and has no scandal.
The Kadu Asili aspirant said he was impressed by the Azimio la Mageuzi Kilifi initiated by Saburi which focuses on issues of transforming Kilifi.
“Azimio la Mageuzi won’t succeed if we won’t put a foundation of transformation through leadership and programs, it’s my prayers that going forward we will talk so that we benefit from the leadership,” he said.
Party Owners
Tinga said all political parties have their owners and the moment the party leader endorses a certain candidate the others will be affected.
“Like me If am there and Ruto declares support for Aisha Jumwa where will I stand,” he said.
Tinga said Kalonzo Musyoka, Mudavadi, Gideon Moi, and Moses Wetangula have OKA and are in the process of fronting one presidential candidate.
He said the reason for them to join Saburi is to come together as men and chart their way forward because in the end its only one person who will be elected governor.
Mbaru on his part said all of them are aspirants and in total there are 11 candidates of governor in Kilifi who want to be in power.
However, for now, he said the candidates will be known after nominations in April adding that they are now aspirants.
He said they have come together to prepare for the journey for the top county seat set for August and asked them to advise them.
“We are four here but everybody belongs to their own party, after nominations only one or two will be in the race,” he said.
Mbaru called on residents to register as voters in large numbers to enable them to vote for the candidates of their choice.
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