By Prime Rose
The floor for the 2027 gubernatorial contest in Kwale has been set if the recent declaration of Ambassador Chirau Mwakwere as the Digo spokesperson is something to go by.
Mwakwere was picked to lead the Digo community alongside his deputy Marere Wa Mwachai and professor Hassan Mwakimako as secretary general.
Sources have hinted to Coast Times Digital desk that Mwakwere will work with former governor candidate on ODM ticket professor Hamadi Boga to consolidate the Digo vote.
Talks to have PAA candidate Lung’anzi Chai to join the team have been taking place after the 2022 general election with no white smoke coming out of the talks.
“My boss has no plans to work with Boga or Mwakwere. We know where we failed and how to get back,” said a source who did not want to be mentioned.
Ambassador Mwakwere and the two officials were elected by Kaya elders from the Digo community after what they termed as a yearlong consultation.
According to Kaya Diani elder Salim Mwasabu the announcement was made after 13 Kayas from Digo, women, youth, religious leaders, political leaders and all stakeholders including professionals were involved.
Kwale Kaya elders chair Kassim Suleiman Mnyetto said that the community has lacked leaders to articulate their issues for a long time.
They said that issues of social welfare, economy and politics are some of the things that the leaders will have on their table to tackle.
The Digo leadership under Mwakwere chairmanship will ensure the community speak in one voice on all matters affecting them including politics included.
Professor Hassan Mwakimako, the community secretary welcomed the move and said that it was long overdue. Mwakimako said that after the declaration the Digo community will be electing their leadership council.
“Soon the elders will organize a ceremony to initiate a spokesperson,” he said.
He added that the community will be having a Digo cultural festival that is aimed at ensuring that the community is understood by those living amongst them.
“You all know that every tribe has culture and tradition and that is what our youths, women and elders want in the school case,” he added.
He said that the leadership will ensure the community reasons together in unity in addressing challenges amongst them and other communities.
“We will ensure Digo nation is built and nation at large. The leaders will ensure they fight for the rights of the Digo community and speak on their behalf when there are problems in Kenya and the world at large,” he added.
He said that the Digo community like any other tribe has leadership dismissing those who may paint it as a tribal unity.
“Actually the Digo leadership will be working with other tribes leaders and therefore people should not be worried about this unity,” said professor Mwakimako.
Asked whether the leadership declaration is meant for 2027 politics Kimako confirmed saying that it will be part of it but majorly it is about unity of the community.
“These other things will just be events but the focus is having the Digo community speaking in one voice and elders giving advice to ensure the community prosper,” he said.
Sheikh Mwakidudu Hassan Sauti said that any plan to bring together the community is very important.
The declaration has however received a backlash from various quotas those commenting saying it is tribal outfit for campaign.
Kwale county governor office economic advisor Anthony Yama said that the Digo leadership has failed for trying to speak for one tribe in Kwale.
“The leadership of Ngambi have been in position for long and the Digos have existed ever since. Can they show us what they have done for the Digo community? Truth be said , you must be hiding something,” he said on his Facebook media handle.
Yama warned the community leadership saying that it has prepared a clear win for current governor Fatuma Achani in 2027 elections.
“As Kwale people we will stand against you and your bid. the so called unity is a threat to peace and stability in this county,” he claimed.
