Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance party suffered a blow after one of Taita Taveta gubernatorial hopefuls ditched the party for People's Empowerment Party.
Stephen Mwakesi left UDA over what he termed as sibling rivalry and internal pressure.
He was set to battle out with former governor John Mruttu in the UDA primaries.
There has been a supremacy battle within the party in the county over who should fly the gubernatorial flag.
The youthful politician said in a statement that he had found a new home in PEP and that he will be vying for the county's top seat.
“I humbly wish to announce to you all that I will be running for the governor seat of Taita Taveta on the People's Empowerment Party ticket,” Mwakesi said in a statement.
“PEP is a national party with presence across 30 counties of our great nation of Kenya.”
Mwakesi revealed that the party had also appointed him as the interim national party leader.
Joyce Mwambingu is the party’s secretary general.
The public policy expert and a community leader, expressed hope that he will trounce the 12 gubernatorial candidates who have lined up to unseat Granton Samboja.
Besides Mwakesi, other candidates are; Mruttu, Mwatate legislator Andrew Mwadime and former senator Dan Mwazo.
Other candidates are media personality Patience Nyange, Rachael Mwakazi, George Mwandembo, Elijah Mwandoe, Agnes Mwang'ombe, Faustin Mghendi, Godino Mwasaru and Voi based lawyer Onesmus Mwinzi.
Mwakesi dismissed claims that he had been handed a UDA ticket to vie for the senatorial seat.
“It is not true, I am strongly in the gubernatorial race. Let us all come together on this journey as we begin a new chapter for our great county,” he said.
Mwakesi said PEP will embark on an aggressive aspirant recruitment exercise in the region ahead of the August general polls.
He said they target to field, mentor and support aspiring leaders who share the vision of putting the interests of Kenyans first when it comes to leadership and development.
(Edited by Francis Wadegu)
