Kenya's Ambassador to Tanzania Chirau Mwakwere has been endorsed by Matuga ODM members for Kwale governor.
Incumbent Salim Mvurya is determined to recapture the seat he easily won, as reports emerge that he is on his way out of Cord following his silence on the anti-IEBC protests.
Kwale did not hold demonstrations this week.
ODM
Matuga
branch chairman Juma Hassan said that was a clear indication that Mvurya will soon move to Jubilee.
It is alleged the governor has been holding secret talks with Jubilee leaders for a possible move.
ODM Kwale
leaders are lobbying to have Mwakwere given the party ticket.
Mvurya on Saturday said ODM’s top brass is plotting his downfall by denying him the ticket and fielding a "weaker" candidate instead.
He mentioned Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to be among the plotters.
There have been reports that Mvurya will be fielded against speaker Sammy Ruwa in the general election, but Hassan dismissed the claims.
“We have resolved to back Mwakwere for the Kwale governor's seat, despite his political party affiliation. It is just a matter of time before the governor crosses over to JAP,” he said on the phone on Tuesday.
Mvurya, through his political strategist Richard Onsango, said he is an ODM live member and has no plans to ditch it. He term the reports as propaganda.
“The problem with ODM is that they want an arrogant and abrasive leader. Mvurya is not of the kind. He is soft spoken and that’s why they feel he wants to leave,” Onsango said.
He said the governor could not lead Monday’s protests because it was a "misplaced priority".
“IEBC commissioners are stationed in Nairobi, not Kwale. There is no need of demonstrating and locking the clerks' offices,” Onsango said.
Hassan said Mvurya’s "poor" development record will cost him the top seat.