Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya at a past event. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
The Kwale gubernatorial seat is proving to be one of the most hotly contested race in the August polls as the county's political bigwigs lock horns in the race for the county top job.Following the just-concluded ODM nominations in the county, Issa Chipera bagged the party ticket after narrowly beating his closest challenger Sammy Ruwa, to set a date with incumbent Salim Mvurya and former Matuga MP Chirau Ali Mwakwere.Mvurya who will defend his seat on a Jubilee Party ticket having defected from ODM is facing a daunting task. However, he is banking on his development record and advantage of incumbency to earn a second term in office.On his part, Dr Chipera has been busy assembling a political team that can give a political punch come August.Just recently, his camp received a major boost after Simon Mkalla who was poised to be Mwakwere's running mate joined his team.Banking on ODM's huge following in the county, Dr Chipera is the man to watch in the gubernatorial contest.On his part, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, a veteran in the county politics, can pull a surprise and stun his rival.However, he is seen to be past his political prime, but that shouldn't be used to ignore his threat.But even as ODM plot to deny Mvurya a second term in office, the ethnic voting pattern which has characterized the county in the past elections may be key come August.Both Chipera and Mwakwere come from the majority Digo tribe while Mvurya is from the minority Duruma in a county that also boasts of a good number of members of the Kamba community.Chipera and Mwakwere are most likely going to split the Digo votes with Mvurya bagging the majority of Duruma votes, while the Kamba votes will be up for grabs, a scenario that may tilt the scales in favour of the incumbent.