Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya has urged his rivals to stop preaching politics that are likely to divide county residents along ethnic and tribal lines.
Addressing Kinondo residents on Monday during the issuance of title deeds to needy students, Mvurya said the county belongs to all the 42 tribes in the nation and not just a few communities.
He told his opponents that politics of tribalism is no longer welcome in Kenya, adding the move is likely to negatively affect the region's economy.
“If you claim that this is a Duruma, a Digo, a Kamba or this and that tribe, you are not being a leader because Kwale County has all tribes. Politics of tribalism is old fashioned and no development will come from such leadership,” said Mvurya, as quoted by the Nation.
The governor defended his development track record, saying leadership is a serious commitment to change the lives of the residents.
“Ugavana sio uke wenza. Hii ni kazi muhimu ya maana ambayo haitimizwi kwa mtu kuwa kabila hii ama kabila ile.” (Being the governor is not like being co-wives. This is a serious commitment that is not achieved because one comes from this tribe or the other,” he said.
Mvurya will defend his seat on a Jubilee ticket after ditching Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) last year.
The seat has attracted different aspirants including Kenya's High Commissioner to Tanzania Chirau Mwakwere.