Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Munira Mandano and Harrison Kivisu

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday endorsed Msambweni by-election ODM candidate Omar Boga, as his Handshake partner, Raila Odinga rallied support for his party’s flag-bearer in a series of meetings with Kwale leaders.    

Uhuru vowed to address pressing problems in Msambweni, including construction of a market at Ukunda town as well as grievances around land.

Boga was introduced to the President by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho during the commissioning of the Liwatoni floating bridge.

Joho, who has had sleepless nights in Msambweni, drumming up support for Boga, said residents deserved a servant, who has issues of residents at heart.

Earlier in the day, Boga who attended campaign rallies with Raila left a meeting in Kwale, saying he had been called by Uhuru to Mombasa for urgent talks. 

The President said the government will soon launch the dial carriage of the Lunga Lunga-Mombasa highway as well as develop modern markets in Ukunda town.

 “Upande wa Kwale,hiyo mambo ya shamba tutakuja turekebishe and soko, na naambia waziri asuluhishe hiyo mambo. (We have noted the issues of Kwale, the market and I have directed the Cabinet Secretary to address the issues around land,” said Uhuru.

The move is a blow to Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, who has been at logger heads with Joho, who he accuses of interfering with Msambweni politics.

In the past two weeks, Mvurya has been drumming up support for independent candidate Feisal Abdalla Bader, who has the backing of Deputy President William Ruto.

Speaking at Diani Baffon hotel during a meeting with village elders drawn from Msambweni, Raila asked voters to elect Boga saying he was the Handshake candidate.

He said Boga’s election will be an acid test for Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

“You have all seen that Jubilee did not have a chance here, because of the Handshake between President Uhuru and I, and therefore through Boga’s win in this by election, we will know the strength of BBI,” Raila said.

He added:  “Leaders should stop the politics of disunity. That  is why BBI is there to unite Kenyans.”

 Kwale Senator Issa Boy and Woman Rep Zulekha Hassan accused Mvurya of fighting other leaders in the Coast region.