- County returning officer said all the aspirants met all the requirements.
- She also said the candidates had committed to conduct peaceful campaigns and desist from divisive politics.
Image: SOLOMON MUINGI
The Taita Taveta gubernatorial race has taken shape after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission cleared all the 13 hopefuls.
The electoral agency cleared the hopefuls between Saturday and Tuesday.
County returning officer Eisha Mohamed said all the aspirants met all the requirements.
Mohammed said the candidates had committed to conduct peaceful campaigns and desist from divisive politics.
“They have all agreed to abide by the law and we wish them all the best. On our part, we are working tirelessly to make the process successful,” she said.
The candidates are now traversing the county to popularise their candidature with hopes of getting the highest share of the 155,716 votes.
Political analysts however say party, gender and tribal politics will play a key role in the outcome of the bruising political battle.
Netting women's votes seems to be a great concern for the majority of the candidates who settled on female running mates, said Christopher Musyoka, a political analyst.
For instance, nine out of the 11 male gubernatorial candidates settled on women running mates, while the only two female candidates chose male running mates.
“Such selection is sending a strong persuasive message to voters. It is an assurance that they respect gender balance. However there are other factors beyond the gender aspect,” Musyoka said in an interview on Wednesday.
Only former senator Dan Mwazo and Voi-based lawyer Onesmus Mwizi have male running mates.
Mwazo, who is vying on Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party, chose Joseph Mwikamba while Mwizi, an independent candidate, settled on mining engineer Elijah Mwandoe.
Image: SOLOMON MUINGI
The only women candidates in the race are media personality Patience Nyange (Narc) and former lecturer Agnes Mwang’ombe of ANC.
Patrick Mwanyumba will deputise Mwang’ombe while Nyange choose former Taita Taveta Water and Sewerage Company managing director Habel Mwagha to replace Dalton Mwaghogho who was found to have not resigned before the deadline.
On the other hand, incumbent Governor Granton Samboja picked former Voi mayor Priscilla Mwangeka while former governor John Mruttu settled for former county executive Janet Oben.
The race to unseat Samboja, Musyoka said, will also be determined by the strength of candidates’ manifestos and their proposals to tackle the challenges bedevilling the region.
“Those candidates who will have a better way of addressing the economy, health care and fighting graft will stand a better chance,” he said.
Musyoka also said candidates must give an elaborate way of tapping the economic potential in agriculture and mining sectors.
Joy Mwadime, an economist, said tribal politics cannot be underestimated in the race since candidates are also banking on votes from non-natives.
The county is dominated by the Taita, Taveta and Kamba communities that control election outcomes. Other communities are Sagalla, Kasigau, Pare, Maasai, Luo, Kikuyu and Somali, among others.
“Some candidates have chosen running mates from the Kamba community as a way of enticing them. That will also play a role in shaping the race,” she said.
Faustine Mghendi of TSP and Safina’s Francis Mwaita picked geologist Immah Nduku and Mirriam Waema from the Kamba community respectively.
Another candidate who settled for a woman as deputy is DAP-K's George Mwandembo who picked Rosalia Mkanjala.
Further, Christine Kilalo will be deputising Mwatate legislator Andrew Mwadime, while ODM’s Thomas Mwakwida settled on Hope Mwanyuma. PEP party leader Stephen Mwakesi will be deputised by Sophi Wali.
(edited by Amol Awuor)