Chirau Ali Mwakwere (born June 15, 1945, in Kwale, Kenya) is a Kenyan politician and diplomat.
As a young man he was well-educated and joined government service in 1967, serving as an ambassador to several countries and also in several domestic positions, including education.
Mwakwere remained Minister for Transport in the Cabinet named by then President Mwai Kibaki on January 8, 2008, following the controversial December 2007 presidential election,[1] and after Kibaki and his rival, Raila Odinga, reached a power-sharing agreement, Mwakwere remained in his post as Minister for Transport in the grand coalition Cabinet named on April 13, 2008.
Mwakwere retained the seat by beating his closest rival, Hassan Mwanyoha of ODM.
He sings during campaign rallies and his favorite mobilizing tune is commonly referred to 'Zipapa Zipapa'.