Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya says he will pass the leadership baton to his long-time deputy Fatuma Achani after leaving office in 2022.
Mvurya, a two-term governor, says his deputy has gained a lot of political and managerial experience to steer the county to greater heights of development.
The governor hails from Kinango sub-county while his deputy, a lawyer by profession, comes from Msambweni sub-county.
The soft-spoken governor said he would back her for the top county seat and asked residents to also support her in 2022.
Achani is known for her loyalty to the governor whom she likes to introduce as a strong and able governor in public forums.
“When I complete my time as governor it will be time for my loyal deputy to take over for continuity,” he declared, adding that he is committed to a peaceful succession.
The governor spoke on Saturday when he issued hybrid maize seeds and corn-sheller machines to farmers at Mabafweni area in Pongwe/Kikoneni ward, Lungalunga sub-county.
He said 600 farmers will benefit from the seed distribution program in the agriculturally rich ward.
The Jubilee governor earlier toured parts of Kinango sub-county where he launched a relief food distribution programme to vulnerable families affected by drought and the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said his administration had made major development steps, including bursary scholarships to more than 4,000 national school students, 2,000 university students, and others in intermediary colleges.
He asked leaders in the county to refrain from divisive and tribal politics but instead preach unity to residents.
On her part, Achani said Mvurya deserves support from residents for the county to accomplish meaningful socio-economic development.
“His administration is people-centered, development conscious, and transformational. Let us all support him for prosperity,” she said.
The two still maintain a cordial working relationship since 2013 when they were first elected even as most county chiefs fell out with their deputies.
