Kwale governor hopeful Gereza Dena at a past media briefing. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
The race for Kwale governor has taken a new twist after independent candidate Gereza Dena lost his running mate who decamped to the opponent's camp.
Dena who lost during the ODM nominations, opted to run as an independent candidate and roped in James Mulinge as his running mate. However, with only 12 days remaining to the August 8 polls, his dream to unseat incumbent Governor Salim Mvurya was dealt a blow after Mulinge opted to support county speaker Sammy Ruwa, also an independent candidate.According to section 18 of the Elections Act, a governor candidate cannot change a person nominated for deputy governor after the electoral body has received nomination papers."Provided that in the event of death, resignation or incapacity of the nominated candidate or of the violation of the electoral code of conduct by the nominated candidate, the political party may substitute its candidate before the date of presentation of nomination papers to the commission,” reads the act.Mulinge said he made the decision after elders asked him to support Ruwa because has the numbers."When the elders and the community speak, I cannot go against their wishes," said Mulinge, as quoted by The Star.However, Dena has dismissed Mulinge’s move, terming it as inconsequential.“He was picked at the last minute because my running mates' papers had issues papers had issues. He was not supposed to be my running mate,” said Dena.The governor hopeful said he is confident the Kamba community will support him despite Mulinge ditching his camp.A source quoted by the daily however said “Dena will be in the ballot as the law does not block him from running because of his running mate's new position”.Others in the race include incumbent Salim Mvurya, ODM's Issa Chipera and Chirau Ali Mwakwere of Wiper.