Taita-Taveta Governor John Mruttu at a past function. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Taita-Taveta Governor John Mruttu has said he will defend his seat in the forthcoming general election despite having lost the ODM nominations to Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu. The Governor has maintained that the primaries were not conducted in a free and fair manner.The legislator claimed that his supporters from four polling stations did not take part in the nominations where he garnered 14,817 votes against Mwadeghu’s 17,567. He, however, said he will consult the electorate before making his next move.“I am collecting views from my supporters across the county. I am listening to their advice before taking the next step. You know this is something I cannot decide on my own, I have to consult with my people,” said Mruttu, as quoted by the Nation. The county boss claimed that officials who took charge of the polls were his opponent’s chief campaigners.“Informers told me that those who were charged with overseeing primaries in the county convened a meeting with Mr Mwadeghu,” said Mruttu.The ODM governor further said that he has evidence to prove that Mwadeghu had met the officials before the nominations were conducted in the area. “There is evidence that the meeting took place, it started in the evening into the night. That is where the problem started,” he added.