ODM denies courting Mwakwere to vie for Kwale governor’s seat
What you need to know:
- Governor Salim Mvurya expressed his intention to work with Jubilee, signalling that he would leave ODM.
- Mr Zani challenged Mr Chitembe to produce evidence that party officials sat and decided to woo the former MP.
- He accused Mr Chitembe of making statements on behalf of the party without consulting branch members.
- Mr Zani has shown interest in vying for the Kwale governor’s seat, which has also attracted county Speaker Sammy Ruwa.
A senior ODM official in Kwale County has denied reports by a colleague that the party is wooing Kenya's ambassador to Tanzania Chirau Ali Mwakwere to vie for the governor's seat on their ticket in 2017.
Vice-chairman Nicholas Zani dismissed the claims by Matuga Sub-County chairman Hassan Chitembe.
This came after Governor Salim Mvurya expressed his intention to work with Jubilee, signalling that he would leave ODM.
Mr Mwakwere, a former MP for Matuga and Cabinet minister in the Kibaki administration, also confirmed having been approached by local ODM officials "and others" to run against Mr Mvurya in the party's ticket.
NO AGREEMENT WITH MWAKWERE
But speaking with the Nation on Tuesday, Mr Zani said the party had not discussed with Mr Mwakwere the possibility of seeking the governor's seat.
He challenged Mr Chitembe to produce the minutes of a meeting where they sat down as party officials and decided to woo the former MP to vie for the top county position.
“There is no such thing. If he has been compromised by Mr Mwakwere, then it is up to them and he should not speak on general terms as if we have agreed [on it],” he said.
Mr Zani accused Mr Chitembe of making statements on behalf of the party without consulting branch members.
Consequently, he said, the official had been suspended from his position until the issue is sorted out.
Nassoro Koba will be the acting chairman.
Mr Zani has shown interest in vying for the Kwale governor’s seat, which has also attracted county Speaker Sammy Ruwa.
