- Mwadime is ranked among the front runners in the race to unseat Governor Granton Samboja.
- Mwadime left ODM days to the party’s primaries citing lack of fairness and democracy.
Image: SOLOMON MUINGI
Mwatate MP Andrew Mwadime has resigned from the Communist Party of Kenya to vie for Taita Taveta governor seat as an independent.
Mwadime earlier ditched ODM for the Mwandawiro Mghanga-led CPK but left when the party signed a pact with Deputy President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
“I confirm my resignation voluntarily and without threat or duress as I exercise my right to contest in the election as an independent aspirant,” Mwadime said in a letter to the party.
Mwadime is ranked among the front runners in the race to unseat Governor Granton Samboja.
The race has attracted 14 aspirants. They the incumbent Samboja, Mwadime, Patience Nyange and former senator Dan Mwazo.
Others are, former governor John Mruttu, Rachael Mwakazi, George Mwandembo, Stephen Mwakesi, Elijah Mwandoe, Agnes Mwang'ombe, Faustin Mghendi, Godino Mwasaru and Onsemus Mwinzi.
The second-term legislator asked the Registrar of Political Parties to remove his name from CPK membership list.
CPK is among the eight political parties that signed a coalition agreement with the Kenya Kwanza earlier this month.
The parties include Chama Cha Kazi of Moses Kuria, Devolution Party of Kenya led by Gunga Mwiga, Farmers Party of Irungu Nyakera and Umoja Maendeleo under Embu Governor Martin Wambora.
Others are The Service Party of Mwangj Kinjuri, Economic Freedom of Issack Hassan, Tujibebe Wakenyaof William Kabogo and the Democratic Party.
Mwadime left ODM days to the party’s primaries citing lack of fairness and democracy.
He said the party had failed to uphold fairness in respecting the will of the people and was driven by selfish interest.
The former banker came into active politics in 2013 when he defeated former education assistant minister Calist Mwatela in the Mwatate parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)