COUNTY POLITICS: Taita Taveta gubernatorial race attracts old and new entrants

The Taita Taveta gubernatorial race has attracted both old and new entrants.

Already, eight aspirants have declared interest in the seat including senator Dan Mwazo, Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu, former Central Bank of Kenya deputy governor Jecinta Mwatela, former Coast Water Services Board Granton Samboja, businessman Erastus Katani, youth leader Jared Nzano and former Immigration Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Kisombe.

Governor John Mruttu will also be defending his seat. Taita Taveta mainly comprises four major communities which are Taita, Kamba, Sagalla and Taveta.

In the recently released Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission report it has 155,904 registered voters.

Mr Mruttu will battle with Mr Mwadeghu for ODM ticket in party primaries expected next month.

However, ODM party leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho indicated during a campaign in the county recently that a truce could be found between Mr Mruttu and Mr Mwadeghu so that one of them leaves the seat for the other.

A tough political battle is expected if the former allies lock horns in the gubernatorial race. The close relationship between Mr Odinga and Governor Mruttu has made other aspirants fear that the nominations might not be free and fair.

Mr Mwadeghu and Mr Mruttu had earlier been hitting out at each other whenever they met in public meetings. However, they appeared to have buried the hatchet during recent ODM meetings presided over by Mr Joho.

Mr Mwadeghu who is the ODM chief whip had accused Mr Mruttu’s government of abetting corruption with county projects stalling due to loss of funds.

Mr Mruttu had in return accused the Wundanyi MP of trying to derail his development agenda by spreading propaganda. The governor will be banking on what he has achieved in his first term in office.

'SERVICE DELIVERY'

“Despite the challenges we are facing, we have continued to ensure that we implement projects which are meant to improve service delivery to the public,” he said.

Mr Mruttu who is also the Council of Governor’s vice chairman says he has improved health services in the county.

In 2013 power sharing agreement, a Taveta was voted as governor, a Taita as senator and women representative to Taita. It is however not clear whether the Taitas who have high numbers will this time round agree to vote a Taveta again. Kambas have also demanded a share in top county government positions having 42 000 voters. 

ODM is perceived to be the dominant party in the county but Jubilee party successfully courted senator Mwazo to join it.

Mr Samboja, enjoys support from youth and women because of projects he has initiated to support the youth and women. He decamped to Wiper from Jubilee after an alleged fallout with Taveta MP Naomi Shaban and Kenya Ports Authority Board chairperson, Marsden Madoka who prefer Mr Mwazo over him.

Mrs Mwatela lost the seat to Mr Mruttu in 2013.

“I have decided to seek the top county position and I know we will win this time,” she said during a burial in Mwatate, Ms Mwatela had initially defected to Wiper but later on changed her mind.

Mr Kisombe and youth leader Nzano are yet to fully launch their campaigns. Mr Nzano said he will contest on Jubilee ticket.