TAITA TAVETA GOVERNORS’ RACE SHAPES UP AHEAD OF THE 2027 ELECTION
The Taita Taveta gubernatorial race is gaining momentum as more candidates show interest in vying for the county’s top office, giving the incumbent sleepless nights as he prepares to defend his seat in August 2027.
Among those who have already declared their intention to vie for the gubernatorial position are the incumbent Governor Hon. Andrew Mwadime, former governor Granton Samboja, Senator Jones Mwaruma, Wundanyi MP Hon. Danson Mwashako, Anderson Mtalaki, the General Manager at KPA, and John Mwangemi, a former Managing Director at KPA who is currently a consultant.
According to Senator Jones Mwaruma, the incumbent governor, Hon. Andrew Mwadime, has not been able to deliver on the expectations of the people of Taita Taveta since assuming office in 2022.
He said that Taita Taveta County receives sufficient funds from the Exchequer to support key sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, and agriculture, but residents have not fully enjoyed the benefits of devolution.
“Taita Taveta has enough money to deliver good hospitals, provide bursaries, and pay staff salaries, but it is very unfortunate that we have witnessed dilapidated conditions in most of our hospitals, especially Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi, where in many cases the public has lacked drugs,” said Senator Mwaruma.
The senator added that, having served two terms in the Senate, he believes he has gained enough experience to lead the county as its next governor, noting that many counties where governors have performed well were previously led by senators.
On his part, former governor Granton Samboja, in several public forums, has acknowledged mistakes he may have made while in office, stating that if given a second chance, he would transform Taita Taveta County. Samboja has often highlighted his development record despite serving for only five years.
Wundanyi MP Hon. Danson Mwashako is the most recent leader to declare his interest in unseating Governor Andrew Mwadime in the next general election. Mwashako, who has been popularizing his education agenda in Wundanyi Constituency, has also accused the first, second, and current governors of failing to deliver on their manifestos.
While declaring his ambitions in Wundanyi, Mwashako said one of his main agendas is to end land grabbing in Taita Taveta, which he described as rampant, blaming fellow legislators for supporting the government of the day while remaining silent.
Other aspirants, John Mwangemi and Anderson Mtalaki, have also been calling for change in the county’s leadership as they urge residents to support their ambitions.
However, the incumbent Governor Hon. Andrew Mwadime has condemned those who have already shown interest in unseating him, urging them to give him time to transform the lives of the people of Taita Taveta.
One of his key agendas, which he has repeatedly mentioned, is the creation of a conducive environment for investors in the county, which he believes will create job opportunities for the youth.
Mwadime says he believes in people-led leadership that involves seeking opinions and views from all stakeholders in problem-solving, thereby giving everyone an opportunity to participate. However, his administration has been accused of pending bills, a high wage bill, and poor health services.
Senator Jones Mwaruma has also accused the incumbent of campaigning for Taita and Taveta residents living in the diaspora to return home during the census, arguing that it would increase the county’s allocation from the Treasury, despite the county already receiving sufficient funds for development.
Meanwhile, discussions have emerged in some social media groups and public forums within Taita Taveta County, with residents calling for a one-term governorship culture. They argue that counties whose governors have served two terms have benefited more from devolution.
So far, Taita Taveta County has had three different governors since the advent of devolution: Eng. John Mruttu, the first governor from 2013 to 2017; Hon. Granton Samboja, who served from 2017 to 2022; and Hon. Andrew Mwadime, the current governor.
So far Taita Taveta County government has received approximately Ksh.53 Billion as equitable share from the treasury as per the CRA.
As of now, no woman has declared interest in vying for the gubernatorial seat in Taita Taveta County, with only male candidates having come forward.
