MATUGA

HON. AMB. CHIRAU ALI MWAKWERE, EGH, MP (PNU)
Minister of Transport


Immediate former MP: Hon. Suleman Kamole. The area, formely Kwale Central was represnted for a long time a a renowned trade unionist Juma Boy. Upon Boy's death, the voters elected his son Boy Juma Boy who was dislodged by Kamole.

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PRE-2008 GENERAL ELECTION ANALYSIS

TOUGH BATTLE FOR MATUGA SEAT AS MWAKWERE EYES A SECOND TERM

Story by JUMA NAMLOLA
DAILY NATION
Publication Date: 4/24/2007
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Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere has been one of the many leaders eyeing the Coast throne following the death of Mr Karisa Maitha several years ago. Others have who have been trying to fill Mr Maitha's shoes include Cabinet ministers Rashid Shakombo (National Heritage), Morris Dzoro (Tourism), and assistant minister Danson Mungatana (Justice and Constitutional Affairs).

Yet others include Bahari MP Joe Khamisi and Mvita MP Najib Balala (who is a former Cabinet minister and a contender for the ODM Kenya presidential nomination). On the Government side, the ministers have been vying for recognition as the region's point man, leading to many spats over various issues. The latest was on Narc Kenya's nomination for Magarini by-election, where Mr Mwakwere triumphed after convincing President Kibaki that the party should not field a candidate but, instead, should support the re-election bid of Shirikisho Party's Harrison Kombe.

The latter's 2002 victory was annulled by the High Court, hence the new poll. Mr Mungatana had wanted Narc Kenya to field a candidate and was seen to be closely linked to a bid by Italian hotelier Franco Esposito. After the decision to back Mr Kombe on the Shirikisho Party was announced by Vice President Moody Awori, a dejected Mr Mungatana (one of the most energetic and effective campaigners at the Coast) said he would not take part in the by-election.

That leaves Mr Mwakwere, Mr Shakombo and Mr Dzoro to lead the Government's effort to secure Mr Kombe the seat for the little time remaining in the ninth Parliament against the ODM Kenya candidate, Mr Jefwa Kingi.
Pivotal duel

Mr Mwakwere will be at the forefront of a pivotal duel that has more at stake than the Magarini parliamentary seat. The outcome will be an advance battle between Narc Kenya and ODM Kenya ahead of the General Election later this year. Also, the outcome will indicate which of the two rival parties has an edge at the Coast and nationally.

Just as Mr Mungatana upped his political stock for his role in securing victory for Mr Anania Mwaboza on the National Labour Party ticket in Kisauni by-election, so will Mr Mwakwere if he pulls it through. The Kisauni polls were occasioned by the death of Mr Maitha.Mr Mwakwere might also be banking on delivering the Magarini seat ahead of a difficult election he will be facing in his own Matuga constituency later this year.
Matuga has the lowest number of voters in Kwale. And it is the most volatile in the district. Mr Mwakwere, whose last minute dash to Narc in 2002 saw him pip long-time Tiwi councillor Hassan Mwanyoha of Kanu by just 159 votes, is on the spot for ignoring parts of the constituency that have the majority of voters.
If the outcome of the 2005 Constitution referendum is anything to go by, Mr Mwakwere is in for a tough time. He campaigned aggressively for a 'Yes' vote, but failed to deliver his own Ziwani village in Golini. The 'No' votes overwhelmingly carried the day in Matuga.

Seen as not having achieved much both as an MP and as a Cabinet minister, his seat is seemingly up for grabs. It has attracted a large number of candidates. Frequently, his erratic performance and curious statements have made him the target of jokes. A long list of hopefuls, ranging regular politicians to academics to professionals are lining up to challenge Mr Mwakwere. Leading the line-up are university lecturers Dr Mohamed Swazuri and Dr Mwalim Digore Kitambi. Others are former Kenya Broadcasting Corporation's Pwani FM presenter Athumani Hoka (Hoka wa Mahoka) and Mr Shee Mbwana. There are other aspirants who are yet to declare their stand publicly. But their names have been circulating in the area as prospective candidates.

Matuga has been a one-term seat since the removal of Mr Boy Juma Boy. The one-time Kanu chief whip failed to re-capture the seat on a Ford-P ticket in 2002, and has since ventured into a rather interesting occupation — ghost-buster.Mr Boy inherited the then Kwale Central seat from his father Juma Boy in the early 80s. Mr Juma Boy died in 1984. The son lost the seat to Suleiman Kamole in 1997, who in turn lost it to Mr Mwakwere in 2002. But the family will still be represented, as Mr Boy's young brother, Issa, has indicated an interest in the seat. Mr Issa Boy intends to run on the ODM Kenya ticket.Dr Swazuri, a University of Nairobi lecturer and former Constitution of Kenya Review commissioner, is seen to have the best chance of beating Mr Mwakwere for the Narc-K nomination.

The groundwork that he has done in mobilising the youth through football tournaments, and his contribution in improving the academic excellence of schools in Kwale district, are some of his strongest points. Although he lectures in Nairobi , he has been a frequent visitor to the constituency on weekends. His entrance also poses a challenge to Mr Hoka, who hails from the same Maganyakulo area of Matuga location. Mr Hoka will be depending on the popularity he has gained as a radio presenter, but it remains to be seen whether that will count in politics. He is yet to announce on which party he intends to run.

Dr Kitambi will be trying his luck again after a disastrous outing in 2002, when he managed only 981 votes to tail the field on the Shirikisho party ticket. He is now aiming for the ODK Kenya ticket, where he will be up against Mr Issa Boy and Mr Shee Mbwana.

Stiff opposition

One likely campaign issue in Matuga is use of the constituency development fund. Mr Mwakwere is accused by his critics of using the fund to reward his supporters, while ignoring areas like Tiwi and Ng'ombeni, where he has faced stiff opposition.But Mr Mwakwere dismisses the allegations as mere propaganda, saying he has initiated various projects — such as rehabilitating schools, drilling boreholes and contributing to youth and women groups' projects. Mr Mwakwere may also claim credit for a series of educational projects initiated by Dutch philanthropist Jan Verkaat. The Dutchman has helped build new schools, besides renovating existing primary schools in the area. He can also capitalise on the high number of constituents he has helped get jobs at the Kenya Ports Authority during the time he was the Transport minister. Although he faces a stiff test, Mr Mwakwere cannot be written off. Being a Cabinet minister gives him an early advantage. In many parts of Kenya , people view representation by a minister as an honour.