Poverty, food security and education are the key issues taking centre stage in the battle for Kwale governorship. 

A power balance between the dominant Digo and Duruma communities is also shaping up the political campaigns for the polls, which have attracted six candidates. 

Outgoing Governor Salim Mvurya is credited with improving education standards through his widely-acclaimed bursary scheme – an accomplishment his deputy Fatma Achani is riding on in the campaigns.

Wide field 

The six aspirants are Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) Hamadi Boga, United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) Achani, Chirau Ali Mwakwere (Wiper), Sammy Ruwa (Independent), Gereza Dena (Kanu) and Lung’anzi Mangale (Pan African Alliance). 

Candidates from the Digo community have picked Duruma running-mates, with other communities such as Kamba likely to provide the swing vote. The Digo insist it is their turn to lead, since the Durumas have been at the helm of the county for two terms under Mvurya.

Boga and Achani are Digo while Lunganzi, Dena and Ruwa are Duruma. 

Mvurya, a strong ally of Deputy President William Ruto, is waging an aggressive campaign in support of Achani. “On August 9, I want to hand over leadership of this great county to Achani.  You will be safe in her hands, so don’t let me down. Make sure you cast your votes for her,” he said. 

Mvurya also urged locals to choose visionary leaders who will be available and will assist in solving their  problems. 

“Somebody like Boga doesn’t even have a home in Kwale. You would need to go all the way to Mtwapa in Kilifi county to search for him. Get leaders who are always with you; leaders who will assist in solving your problems at the time of need,” he said.  

In the 2017 General Election, Mvurya won with 119,680 votes against his close rival, Mwakwere, who garnered 29,741 and ODM’s Issa Chipera (28,727).

 Mvurya’s main strongholds were two constituencies — Kinango where he got about 67,000 votes and Lunga Lunga (28,743). He also led in Matuga and Msambweni. The 2017 IEBC register shows that Kinango had  85,106, Matuga 70,366, Lunga Lunga 56,948 and Msambweni 68,621 voters. Kinango and Lunga Lunga are predominantly inhabited by Duruma, who are majority. 

Achani is hoping to inherit Mvurya’s  support base. But this could be complicated by the fact that the Duruma have fielded engineer Lung’azi, a strong candidate.

Lung’azi enjoys the support of the Kamba community, the third largest in the county whose leaders have endorsed him. 

Two other candidates from Duruma community, Ruwa and Dena, did not attract significant support in 2017. 

With 47 days to the August polls, the candidates have been conducting aggressive door-to-door campaigns. 

Perpetuate legacy

Lung’anzi, at the weekend, camped at Kubo South — including Shimba Hills, Eshu, Mkongani, Tiribe and Mwaluphamba — eyeing Kamba votes. He urged voters to let him perpetuate Mvurya’s legacy. 

“Mvurya has done a good job but his constitutional terms in office have come to an end. He now has to leave together  with his deputy so that the people of Kwale can choose new leaders,” he said. 

ODM’s Boga, who was in Kinango constituency at the weekend, also said that, if elected as governor, he would make sure the county has enough food for all locals. 

“I will make sure there is enough food for all the people of Kwale, if elected as the next governor. No residents should lack food. We also don’t want to rely on the National Government for relief food. We will do serious, sustainable agriculture at the household levels,” said the former Agriculture principal secretary.  He attributed the high poverty levels in Kwale to food insecurity.  

“Most locals have empty stomachs, starting with school-going children.  I will encourage households to engage in agriculture,” he pledged. 

County Speaker

Independent candidate Sammy Ruwa, who is also the county assembly Speaker, said he stands a better chance to lead the county after Mvurya, having been in the county assembly as Speaker for 10 years. 

“Kwale’s economy is not doing well. Within the first two years of taking office, I will make sure there is a rise in revenue collection to at least Sh2 billion each year” Ruwa said. He said he would  encourage more investors to conduct business in the county so as to create jobs. 

“Kwale has many people lacking employment. Even the over 300 youth that Mvurya sponsored to study in  Indian universities are now back home with good degrees but no jobs. They should be employed at the county government,” he said.