Elders tell off anti-Mvurya camp, give Ngao ultimatum

Elders from 20 wards announced Thursday they will campaign against local elected leaders who criticise Governor Salim Mvurya unfairly or interfered with his work.

The terse warning was directed at Matuga MP Hassan Mwanyoha, his Msambweni counterpart Suleiman Dori, Lunga Lunga’s Khatib Mwashetani and Woman Rep Zainab Chidzuga.

At a news conference at Nyumba Mbovu in Kinondo Location, the elders also took issue with Sheikh Juma Ngao, an activist who joined the politicians at the weekend to make allegations of nepotism against Mr Mvurya.

On behalf of the elders, Sheikh Kassim Zani accused the anti-Mvurya brigade of malice and hypocrisy.

Sheikh Ngao, who was described as a “selfish political broker”, was told to apologise to the governor in seven days.

Kwale residents, he added, were not forced to vote for the governor and they are happy with the development projects that he has initiated.

“Those who are saying that Mr Mvurya is not fit for the job are the ones who are not fit, and we want to assure them that they will go home before him,” said Sheikh Zani.

The villagers said the county had lagged behind since Independence and the governor has tried to liberate them.

The elders, Sheikh Zani added, had made up their minds that they would only re-elect Mr Mvurya, who was being fought by political rivals.

“We are just wondering whether those fighting Mr Mvurya have eyes to see what the county government under Mr Mvurya has done for the three years he has been in office,’’ he said.

Sheikh Ngao was cautioned to take the seven-day ultimatum seriously.

“I know Mr Ngao very well. He is selfish and nothing but a political broker who has a tendency of moving from one political party to another for his own interests,’’ claimed Sheikh Zani.

The sentiments were backed by Ms Saumu Mwachambuli, who urged religious leaders to shun politics in order to earn respect from their followers.

Ms Mwachambuli dismissed claims that the governor only employed his close relatives as malicious.

“I am very bitter with religious leaders like Juma Ngao, who do not focus on religious teachings and are instead fond of peddling malicious allegations and untruths,’’ she said.

Political temperatures have been high in the county after a meeting in Kinondo that was hosted by the Msambweni MP and attended by Sheikh Ngao declared war on Governor Mvurya.

Then, erstwhile Mvurya ally Dori turned around after what he said was a realisation that the governor had “imposed’’ a rival against him.