Former Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu has vowed to recapture his seat from the incumbent Granton Samboja.
Mruttu together with his running mate Janet Oben were on Monday cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
Addressing journalists shortly after clearance at the Taita Taveta University, Mruttu blamed Samboja for failing especially in the health sector.
He said he shall prioritise reviving projects that he started during his tenure in 2013-17.
Mruttu, who is vying on Deputy President William Ruto's UDA, pledged to help improve service delivery at the health department.
"There is so much laxity at the health department that needs to be addressed. This will be our top priority," Mruttu said.
He said the shortage of pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical at health facilities has caused unending suffering to residents.
He further said he shall capitalise on education and agriculture to help improve livelihood in the region.
The agriculture sector, he said is underutilised despite its potential to turn around the county's economy.
"The region has the potential of improving the economy. My administration will help farmers explore the sector," Mruttu said.
The former county boss is banking on his past development projects to reclaim the seat.
The 67-year-old soft-spoken politician was floored by Samboja in the 2017 general election and has since then maintained a low profile.
He finished second in the hotly contested race with 23,967 votes against Samboja’s 40,764 votes.
However, the ex-county chief told the Star that he has solidified his support base and that he is ready to recapture the seat.
He is leaning on his Taveta backyard to catapult him back to power.
"We have learned our mistakes over time and rectified them, the seat is ours to lose. My team is keen on popularising my candidature," he said
Mruttu and Woman Representative Lydia Haika are Ruto's point persons in the county.
The duo has been leading tens of UDA aspirants to rally support for the DP in the region.
Apart from Samboja, Mruttu will face 11 other candidates for the seat.
They include Mwatate legislator Andrew Mwadime (independent), Stephen Mwakesi (PEP), Patience Nyange (Narc) and former senator Dan Mwazo(Wiper).
Others are George Mwandembo (DAP-K), Agnes Mwang'ombe(ANC) Faustin Mghendi(TSP) Godino Mwasaru (Independent), Onsemus Mwinzi (Independent),Tom Mwakwida(ODM) and Safina’s Francis Mwaita.
Samboja who was also cleared by IEBC on Monday and expressed confidence of winning.
The county boss was elected on Wiper in 2017 but fell out with the party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. He has since decamped to Jubilee.
Samboja pledged to complete the development project he started during his first term and initiate new ones if reelected.
Mwadime, a two-term legislator is giving both Mruttu and Samboja a run for their money.
The Mwatate MP ditched ODM in March for Communist Party but later resigned from the party to go independent.
The MP is banking on his 'Wakujaa' slogan, loosely translated to fullness as part of his strategy to capture the seat.
"Wakujaa simply means full of ideas, love and good deeds. My candidature is full of good ideas for the county," Mwadime said.
The IEBC county returning officer Eisha Mohamed in an interview confirmed that all the cleared candidates the requisite documents.
Mohamed reassured residents of the commission’s commitment in conducting credible elections, further urging candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
