Chirau Mwakwere welcomed to ODM as Kwale gubernatorial race gathers pace

One of the six Kwale ODM gubernatorial aspirant Dr. Issah Chipera (with spectacles) flanked by other ODM officials and members at Party’s offices in Kinondo. In a statement read on behalf of other aspirants, they welcomed the entry of Chirau Ali Mwakwere to the party. PHOTO: TOBIAS CHANJI/STANDARD

Politicians eyeing the gubernatorial seat on an ODM ticket have welcomed former assistant minister Chirau Mwakwere to the party.

Mr Mwakwere, who is Kenya's high commissioner to Tanzania, met ODM leader Raila Odinga and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho in Nairobi early this month for discussions and returned to Dar es Salaam after presenting his campaign details to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

The former Matuga MP was accompanied to the meeting by former Kinango MP Simon Mkalla who is his presumptive running mate  as they seek to unseat Governor Salim Mvurya.

Reports indicate Mwakwere will resign from Government next month to begin his campaigns.

ODM has attracted six aspirants who include Issa Chipera, Kwale Speaker Sammy Ruwa, former Permanent Secretary Mohammed Mwachai, Nicholas Zani, Gereza Dena and  Mwakwere.

Speaking on behalf of the ODM gubernatorial aspirants at the Kinondo ODM office, Issa Chipera said there will be free and fair nominations and asked Mwakwere to prepare for stiff competition.

"Those who lose should support the winner and campaign for him to ensure Jubilee does not clinch the seat," he said.

Chipera, who is the Plan International Country Manager in Uganda, was a close ally of governor Mvurya but parted ways after Mvurya ditched ODM.