Salim Mvurya denies ditching DP Ruto for Amason Kingi

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya speaks during Madaraka Day in Kinango on June 1, 2018. He is still a William Ruto ally. PHOTO | FADHILI FREDRICK | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kingi is rooting for the formation of a coast party to propel him to State House.
  • On Friday, Mr Kingi did not turn up for the iftar dinner Governor Joho hosted Mr Odinga to in Mombasa.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya has dismissed reports that he has abandoned Deputy President William Ruto for his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi.

Mr Mvurya - who is been the Jubilee Party pointman at the Coast - termed as "untrue" claims that there is a fallout between him and DP Ruto.

Sources had revealed that Mr Mvurya changed his tune towards Mr Ruto after he was short-changed during the Council of Governors chairmanship election.

COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS

It was revealed that it was Mr Ruto who had allowed Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok to retain the chairmanship seat despite being from ODM party.

And in the arrangement, Mr Mvurya was directed to take over after six months, with Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru deputising Mr Nanok and later him.

But the source said Mr Mvurya was unhappy.

Mr Nanok is said to have reached out to Mr Ruto and succeeded in securing an agreement that allowed him to complete his one year term before surrendering the seat to Mr Mvurya.

While Ms Waiguru was catapulted to the position, Mr Mvurya missed out and his allies have blamed the DP.

SUPPORT

But Mr Mvurya has denied the purported outcome of events.

"The decision to have Mr Nanok retain his seat and Mr Mvurya to take over was something that we agreed on and not an issue of being sacrificed.

"There are no differences whatsoever with either the DP or Mr Nanok," Mr Mvurya’s communications boss Daniel Nyassy said on Sunday.

My Nyassy said the governor still supports Mr Ruto.

"Those who are saying that we are not happy with Mr Kingi joining the DP’s side are day-dreaming. What we know is that the move will help Jubilee in solidifying our support from the region," he said.

KINGI/JOHO

The media boss said Mr Kingi will help Mr Ruto secure part of the votes from the region.

"Mr Mvurya has been the only one fighting for the party here but with the coming of Mr Kingi, we will get a bigger support and have the DP succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta," Mr Nyassy added.

Due to Mr Kingi's dalliance with Mr Ruto, there were claims that his friendship with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was developing fissures.

But Mr Joho recently said "their bond is unbreakable".

They are both interested in the presidency in 2022.

PRESIDENCY

On Friday, Mr Kingi did not turn up for the iftar dinner Governor Joho hosted Mr Odinga to in Mombasa.

Mr Joho has rallied behind Mr Odinga and President Kenyatta's peace pact but Mr Kingi stated he was yet to understand the usefulness of the pact to the Coast people.

And while Mr Joho wants to inherit Mr Odinga's fanatical supporters, Mr Kingi is rooting for the formation of a coast party to propel him to State House.