Former Kenyan Ambassador to Tanzania Ali Chirau Mwakwere at a past function. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Former Kenyan Ambassador to Tanzania Ali Chirau Mwakwere has been dealt a major blow after his running mate, Simon Mkalla, opted to walk away from his camp ahead of the August general election.Mkalla has announced that he will back Issah Chipera of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) with only a day left to the party's nominations in the county.Mkalla's move to ODM is likely to complicate matters for Mwakere who had been endorsed to go for the area’s top seat by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. In an interview with Citizen Digital Mkalla aaid he is no longer backing Mwakere for the seat.Mkalla, who spoke at St Joseph Hall in Ukunda after joining Chipera, said he had made an informed decision, adding Chipera was the right man to unseat Governor Salim Mvurya come August. “Our government will ensure both skilled and unskilled youth get job opportunities to better their living standards,” he said at St Joseph Hall in Ukunda after joining Chipera. On his part, Chipera said Mkalla joined his camp because Mwakere made a wrong political move.“When Mwakwere was in Tanzania, Mkalla was representing him as his deputy in all the ODM meetings. But when Mwakwere came back he stayed in ODM for only two weeks and jumped to Wiper that is why Mkalla has come back because he cannot leave ODM,” said Chipera.