Former Central Bank of Kenya deputy boss Jacinta Mwatela during a past media briefing. Photo/ ebru.co.ke
The race to unseat Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu is continuing to gain unstoppable momentum with former Central Bank of Kenya deputy boss Jacinta Mwatela joining the crowded race.
Mwatela who lost narrowly to Mruttu during the 2013 polls will run on an ANC party ticket, an affiliate of NASA coalition, as she seeks to edge out the incumbent in her second attempt.Senator Dan Mwazo who recently ditched ODM for Jubilee has also declared interest in the seat and with no challenger for the party ticket, his candidature is guaranteed.Also in the race is former Coast Water Services Board chairman Granton Samboja, a popular figure in the region.He will be flying the Wiper Party flag in his bid to wrestle power from Mruttu who comes from the minority Taveta community.Former Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Kisombe and businessman Erastus Katani have also thrown the hat into the ring in their bid to control the county. However, the duo are still shopping for political parties.For the incumbent, he will have to overcome the ODM nominations headache first where he will face Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu who is equally a political heavyweight.Both Mruttu and Mwadeghu are considered ODM leader Raila Odinga's trusted allies from the region that has of late been warming up to Jubilee Party.