Jubilee and Cord parties are facing a litmus test in efforts to settle on strong candidates for key elective positions in Coast.
As the Jubilee Party continues its onslaught against Cord, efforts are being made by both sides to ensure that only strong candidates are fielded in respective positions.
At the weekend, Cord leader Raila Odinga, probably fearing losing out Kwale county to opposition, endorsed the incumbent Governor Salim Mvurya for the seat.
Mvurya has in the past been perceived as an ODM rebel.Deputy President William Ruto, is also fronting several of his foot soldiers for key positions.
One time Kisauni MP Ananiah Mwaboza, who has declared his bid for the Mombasa governor, is causing ripples within the Jubilee Party since businessman and banker Suleiman Shabhal is also seeking the party’s endorsement.
At the weekend, DP Ruto fell short of endorsing Mwamboza for the seat but urged voters to underestimate him since he has managed very crucial programmes in his (Ruto) office, and is a focused man.
“Don’t underestimate him. Personally, I wish him well,” Ruto said.
The Deputy President is weighing options among Kilifi North MP Gedion Mung’aro, former Labour CS Kazungu Kambi, and Mining CS Dan Kazungu. Kambi and Munga’ro will run for Kilifi governor seat.
Stakes are high as the fight for the Coast votes intensifies, with both parties promising candidates of a fair process.
While Ruto seemed to have endorsed Mwaboza for the Mombasa governor seat, Raila, keen to keep his team together, has been urging Nyali MP Hezron Awiti to go slow on the incumbent, Hassan Joho.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is also at crossroads over Awiti, his party treasurer and Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, his secretary general.
In Taita Taveta county, political supremacy played out between Governor John Mruttu and Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadheghu over the positions they hold in the party.
In Lamu, Governor Issa Timamy on Sunday announced he will work with the Jubilee administration to spur development in the county.
Addressing residents of Hongwe area in Mpeketoni, Lamu West subcounty, Timmmy said he would defend his seat on a Jubilee Party ticket.
His decision will help him conquer the Gema votes who voted for TNA in Mpeketoni in 2013.
“The Jubilee government has done a lot such as tarmacking of the Garsen – Mokowe road that is expected to cost Sh10.4 billion and will be launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta when he visits in September,’’ Timamy said.
Mvurya could be the biggest addition for both parties owing to the fact that his county is ranked among the best performing counties in Kenya.
Jubilee is seen fighting to either get Mvurya or former Matuga MP Chirau Mwakwere as their candidate.