I retire a proud man, says Governor Mvurya

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, who is serving his last term in office, has said he is retiring a happy man. 

Governor Mvurya said he has completed almost 95 per cent of the projects he initiated in the county. 

He plans to leave the county leadership to his deputy, Fatma Achani, after the August 9 polls.

Mvurya is among the three coast governors, Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Amason Kingi (Kilifi), who have served two complete terms in office

Speaking at St Paul ACK church in Ukunda, Mvurya said he is proud of himself for transforming the county through development.

"I will leave Kwale an excited man because I have left a good legacy of achieving tremendous development in my tenure," he said.

Mvurya said he is thrilled that he was able to establish various impactful projects that are benefiting and improving the lives of the residents.

The governor said Kwale has made great strides economically under his leadership after stagnating for years under the chains of poverty and illiteracy.

Mvurya said he is honoured to see the county being recognised for making a milestone achievement in the national development grid.

The county chief said he has improved the socioeconomic growth and well-being of the people, adding that he will forever be proud of the success the region has so far achieved.

Mvurya said together with Achani, they have improved education, healthcare services, water connectivity, food security and infrastructural development.

They have also built about 450 modern early childhood development and education facilities.

A bursaries programme dubbed the 'Elimu Ni Sasa' has also been rolled out to support and provide equal learning opportunities in the county.

Mvurya said over 150 dispensaries and maternity wings have also been constructed and are now offering quality and affordable healthcare.

The governor said he would wish to continue serving the residents and make their dreams come true but the law doesn't allow it.

Mvurya said it is for that reason he would like Achani to take over from him after proving to be a worthy leader.

"I have faith in my deputy because we have worked together and I have no doubt she can deliver the remaining work perfectly," he said.

Mvurya has, however, faced strong criticism from his opponents who don't agree with him.

In a previous interview  in Ukunda, gubernatorial hopeful Hamadi Boga said Kwale is not yet free from poverty and more needs to be done.

Boga said Mvurya has not been able to meet the people's expectations and majority of his promises are unfulfilled.

"The biggest goal is to change the lives of Kwale residents but the governor failed to do that," he said.

"Don't tell me doing some few roads, ECDEs, dispensaries and distributing livestock is enough." 

Boga said many youths are still unemployed and hunger remains a major concern that Mvurya failed to address in his two terms.

Former aspirant Suleiman Lugogo also said Mvurya didn't deliver on  his pledges.

Lugogo said Mvurya started with a punch and lost direction midway, adding that he promised much and offered little.

"He lost direction on the way, especially in his second term where he relaxed and left everything to his deputy who was overwhelmed and messed things up," Lugogo said.

He said the biggest fear is for Achani to become governor citing that it would be disastrous because she has no agenda.

But Achani maintained that she is a visionary, strong and ready to raise the development bar.

The deputy governor said she has gained a lot of experience from Mvurya and knows what needs to be done to transform the county and stabilise the economy.

Ukunda ward aspirant Richard Mwaraone Onsongo also defended Mvurya's legacy.

He said the two deserved a medal for bringing a change in a county that had nothing.

Onsongo said the governor has accomplished more than what he promised.

He said there is a huge difference when comparing development before devolution and after.

Onsongo said thousands of children are learning under the bursary programme, more roads are opening up the region and agriculture has improved.

He said these are  key factors in the modification of Kwale's economy.

The politician said people should shun politicising development and give credit where it deserves.

(Edited by Francis Wadegu)