Politics surrounding the Kwale governorship has taken a new turn after key rivals of Governor Fatuma Achani announced plans to unite and back one candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Former Agriculture Principal Secretary Hamadi Boga and Mangale Lungazi, the chairman of Bandari Maritime Academy, have agreed to work together in the race for the county’s top seat.
The two leaders, who finished second and third respectively in the 2022 gubernatorial election, said they have decided to put aside their differences and cooperate in a bid to defeat Governor Achani in the next election.
Former Transport Minister Chirau Mwakwere, who was also a candidate in the race, said he would support the alliance.
“We are united and our intention is to bring the people of Kwale together. One of us will be governor and the other deputy governor because we cannot both be governors at the same time,” said Prof Boga.
He explained that their plan is to form a coalition government similar to the partnership between the late President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga during the Grand Coalition Government.
He added that whichever candidate is selected to fly the coalition’s flag will receive full support from the other, with the main goal being to serve Kwale residents and address economic challenges facing the county.
On his part, Mr Lungazi, a former member of the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), accused the current county administration of failing to implement meaningful development projects, especially in the health and agriculture sectors.
PAA recently announced that it will not field candidates in the next election and will instead support the government.
“There are no proper water conservation plans, which is why we still face water shortages. Fourteen years after devolution, our hospitals are still in poor condition,” said Mr Lungazi.
Governor Achani dismissed the alliance, saying the two leaders were already anxious about the upcoming election.
“People have started panicking and are now joining forces to seek votes because they lack confidence in their ability to serve all residents of Kwale. I can go anywhere because I work for all people regardless of tribe,” she said during the swearing-in ceremony of new commissioners to the Kwale County Employment Board.
Their remarks come just weeks after Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy Hassan Joho vowed to campaign for Governor Achani to complete her two terms in office.
Previously, there had been political tensions between Governor Achani and Mr Joho, but the Cabinet Secretary’s remarks appeared to signal reconciliation between the two leaders.
Governor Achani began her political journey in 2013 when she was appointed Deputy Governor under former Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, with whom she served for ten years.
She later contested and won the governorship in the 2022 General Election after a closely fought race against Prof Boga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Prof Boga and Mr Lungazi maintained that they had chosen to unite because Governor Achani’s administration had failed to meet the expectations of Kwale residents.Do you think most proRuto governors will be shown doors.
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