Cord leader Raila Odinga yesterday cancelled his Taita Taveta county
tour at the last minute and instead chose to remain in Nairobi, where he received a report by the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee on the IEBC.
Raila reportedly changed his plans after being told about ODM wrangles in the county.
Preparations to receive Raila at Sowele grounds in Taveta had been completed amidst tension and wrangles between two factions in the area.
Sources said the wrangles, pitting Governor John Mruttu on one side, and Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadheghu on the other, saw Raila cancel his trip all together, as wrangling inside the governor's boardroom went on.
Conflict erupted when Evans Mwakio, the county coordinator of ODM, was addressing the delegates at the boardoom but was shut down by Mwadeghu in the presence of Mruttu, telling him he is not the bone fide official.
Mwadeghu had to be forced to sit down but promised that he would arrange to have the issue sorted out.
Cord conducted its grassroot elections last December, leading to the creation of two factions that have been at loggerheads ever since.
Raila's personal assistant, Dennis Onyango confirmed that the former PM had cancelled his Taita Taveta trip but would fly straight to Kwale county, once he was done with activities in Nairobi.
“I don't think it is because of wrangling in the county. He had to receive the IEBC report and because of the tight deadline, it was agreed that the Taveta trip be shelved. Actually the report was to be out by morning but was delayed, and thus it affected the rest of the program,” Onyango said.
Raila was to address the public rally and then meet delegates in the town, before leaving for Kwale.
Earlier in the day, the Taita Taveta MCAs, who have planned to present a raft of demands to Raila, over their inclusion in political matters of the area.
In the stormy boardroom meeting, Mruttu, Mwadeghu, his Voi counterpart Jones Mlolwa, and Mwatate's Andrew Mwadime, deliberated on key issues albeit the divisions.
Speaking to The Star, deputy majority leader at the county assembly, John Magangha, also confirmed that Raila may be back in the regions between 19th to 20th of next month, for rallies in Wundanyi, Voi and Mwatate.
“All is not lost, he will be back,” said Magangha.
The politicians, led by Mruttu and Mwadeghu, however denied that the last minute cancellation was due to their wrangling and further promised to resolve their issues.
“We have agreed to sit down and iron out our differences so that we can resolve this issue. We shall address a public meeting at the same grounds,” said Mwadeghu.
In the disputed elections held in December, one faction is led by Mruttu and comprises of Voi ODM chair John Maghanga, Wundanyi branch chair Ray Mwangola, Mwatate ODM chair Celestine Mwakio while Mwadeghu's team compises of nominated MCA Anisa Mwakio among other supporters.
Mwadeghu lost the Wundanyi ODM chairmanship contest to Mwangola.
A section of ODM MCAs in the region had earlier threatened to boycott his meeting alleging that they were not involved in the preparations to welcome him.
Tension was high in the area.
The MCAs meeting was held at GreenPark Hotel and was aimed at making Raila know that their inclusion in matters politics was vital.
The former PM, who held meetings in Nairobi with Mrutu, Mwadeghu, Mwadime, senator Joyce Lay and Mlolwa, was expected in Kwale county later in the evening.
The MCAs meeting was attended by the county's majority leader, Cromwell Baridi, county assembly whip Jason Tuja, deputy speaker Chrispus Tondoo, among others.
“We want Raila to tell us which political leaders were genuinely elected, so that we avoid confusion over party matters,” said Magangha.
Conspiciously absent from the vicinity of the venue or in any leaders meeting was Senator Dan Mwazo, who was also not picking our calls by the time of going to the press. There were claims that he was to hold a parallel meeting in Wundanyi town.
Raila is set to visit Kwale and Kilifi counties during his Coast tour.