Taita Taveta Senator Dan Mwanzo at a past event. He has been cleared by IEBC to run for the county’s top seat. [Photo/ buzzkenya.com]
The race for Taita Taveta Governor took new shape on Friday when more aspirants were cleared including Senator Dan Mwazo.
Mwazo, who was elected on an ODM ticket in 2013, was cleared by IEBC alongside his running mate Stanley Masamo to vie for governor on a Jubilee Party ticket, following his recent defection.Also given the green light is former Coast Water Services Board chairman Granton Samboja who will be running on a Wiper Party ticket.Samboja, a former Journalist, was given the nod by the Wafula Chebukati-led commission alongside his 35-year-old running mate Majal Mlaghui.Mwazo and Samboja's clearance comes just a day after incumbent Governor John Mruttu was given a go-ahead to defend his seat as an independent candidate after losing to Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu in the ODM nominations.Mwadeghu was also cleared to contest in the battle that is considered a three-horse race pitting Mwadeghu, Mwazo and Mruttu.Meanwhile in Kwale County, Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani took one major step on Friday in his bid to defend his seat when IEBC cleared him to him run on a Jubilee Party ticket.The lawmaker who cut ties with Moses Wetangula's Ford Kenya before decamping to Jubilee is among the candidates who are eying the seat with his main opponent being an ODM candidate.Addressing his supporters after he was given the nod to run, Mwashetani who is one of President Uhuru Kenyatta's point men in the region, exuded confidence that he will easily recapture the seat irrespective of his party affiliation.While warning his opponents to brace for a major political battle, the legislator said he has done enough development for his constituents and he still has a lot more to offer.Mwashetani is said to be positioning himself to succeed Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya in 2022, something he confirmed a week ago when he said he is the right man to succeed the Governor.