Blow For Jubilee As Governor Ditches Party

The Jubilee Government has been dealt a major blow in their attempt to make inroads into the Cord-dominated Coast province after a governor ditched the party.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy who has in recent months been warming up to the Jubilee Government on Tuesday announced that he will join Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani Coalition ahead of next year’s general elections.

The news will be a major disappointment for the Uhuru-led party which only recently had managed to rope in Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya into their fold.

Governor Timamy in July this year had indicated that he was ready to work with the Jubilee coalition provided that his county would stop being marginalized as had been the case since independence.

The declaration by Timamy will be a boost for Mudavadi who is seeking a stab at the presidency next year in an already crowded presidential race.

Mr Timamy is likely to face stiff challenge from Lamu Senator Abu Chiaba for political supremacy in the county.

Mr Timamy was elected on a United Democratic Front (UDF) ticket in 2013.