A section of Muslim clerics in Kwale County have endorsed Issah Chipera to vie against the incumbent Governor Salim Mvurya in next year's general election.
Meeting under the umbrella of the National Council of Imams and Scholars (NCIS), the Muslim clerics condemned Governor Mvurya for ditching the Orange Democratic Movement and joining Jubilee without consulting the people of Kwale.
NCIS chairperson Sheikh Hamisi Banda said the council was left in shock when Governor Mvurya announced that he was leaving ODM.
"As you know, Kwale people had their governor whom they loved but he joined a party that is not liked here, however much it tries to change its colour,” said Banda.
He said that the council had agreed to rally behind Chipera to unseat Mvurya in 2017 adding that he has what it takes to represent the people of Kwale after the general election.
"He represents 12 African countries as the Deputy Director of Plan International and if he can lead such countries, how can he fail to govern Kwale?" he said.
The Kwale gubernatorial race has attracted several candidates including current Kwale Speaker Sammy Ruwa, former Kinango MP Simeon Mkalla, Gereza Dena, former PS Mohammed Mwachai and Nicholas Zani who is a brother to ODM Secretary General Agnes Zani.