Quit ODM officially and defend your seat in Jubilee, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya told

Msambweni branch ODM officials during a press conference where they demanded for resignation of Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya as both the Governor and ODM party life member to seek new mandate. This they said follows Mvurya's remarks of supporting Jubilee. [PHOTO:Tobias Chanji/Standard].

 

Orange party officials from Msambweni have asked Governor Salim Mvurya to quit ODM and defend his seat on a Jubilee ticket. Speaking to the press yesterday, the officials demanded that the governor, who has publicly declared support for Jubilee Party, quits as an ODM life member.

Governor Mvurya on Wednesday told a women's fundraiser that he fears that ODM will not hand him the ticket to defend his seat in the 2017 General Elections.

The governor claimed several politicians were rigged out during the party primaries in Lunga Lunga and Msambweni in 2013 and a repeat could happen.

"You remember what happened to some ODM candidates in Lunga Lunga and Msambweni in 2013. I will not wait to be rigged out... In the next elections, I will vie on a Jubilee ticket and support President Uhuru Kenyatta and I also urge you to support me," said Mvurya.

"If he is man enough, why can't he resign and seek a new ticket in another party? Let him go for the Jubilee Party launch and come back and seek a new mandate so that we can see if he will be re-elected," said Msambweni ODM Chairperson Abdallah Mambo.

He said the remarks made by Mvurya at Jomo Kenyatta Primary over the weekend in presence of President Kenyatta are clear indications that he (Mvurya) has ditched ODM.

Meanwhile, the heat on Mvurya is expected to mount when CORD leader Raila Odinga tours the county on September 23.

Raila is expected to camp in Matuga and Lungalunga which is the governor's home turf.

During yesterday's briefing, Mambo said Mvurya is running away from Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho without even giving proper reason.

"Mvurya is a politician who fears his fellow politicians, we know he fears Joho who is a governor just like him," he said.

Sheikh Hamisi Banda, who is the branch advisor, however noted that the Joho factor is not reason enough to warrant his shifting.

Banda said the only thing Mvurya has participated in is the Jumuia ya Kaunti Za Pwani movement where he is the vice chairman but questioned why the governor did not support the Okoa Kenya signature campaigns.

"He is used to being spoon-fed and has not shown that he is someone who can fight for himself. His journey has now come to a halt, we'll not allow him back even if he apologises," he said. The officials also claimed that the governor is joining Jubilee because it has shown its financial might in spending and he is looking for campaign money.

Fatuma Juma, who is the chairperson representing women, said ODM is not shaken and will remain strong despite Jubilee's financial muscle.

Coast professionals have also accused Mvurya of betraying Kwale residents by supporting Jubilee. Mvurya's long-time friend and founder chairman of the Kwale Professionals Forum, Issah Chipera, has declared he will face the governor in the next polls.