People’s Empowerment Party leader Stephen Mwakesi has declared his bid to become Taita Taveta Governor in the 2027 general elections.
Mwakesi, who is seeking to challenge Governor Andrew Mwadime, said his campaign would focus on healthcare, job creation, food security, education and economic development.
The former Kenya Chamber of Mines chief executive officer said the 2027 contest should be based on leaders’ performance and their ability to deliver on their promises.
"Taita Taveta voters understand the constitution very well. If they give you five years and you fail to deliver, they send you home," Mwakesi said in an interview with the Star.
Mwakesi, who unsuccessfully contested the governor’s seat in 2022, said his proposed administration would prioritise food security, healthcare, education and employment.
He said his plan would include investment in irrigation, quality seeds, livestock production and agricultural extension services to support food production.
"If eating is the number one problem that a human being has, then you have already lost the game. We must first make sure our people are food secure," he said.
On healthcare, Mwakesi said he would focus on improving access to medical services by supporting health facilities with resources and personnel.
"We are still using facilities that were handed over in 2013. Our hospitals lack medicine, equipment and adequate personnel," he said.
Mwakesi said he would support Early Childhood Development Education centres through teacher support, school feeding programmes and expanded bursaries.
He also said vocational training centres should be aligned with local economic opportunities to equip young people with practical skills.
"Our training institutions should prepare young people for jobs that actually exist within the county instead of producing graduates whose skills cannot be utilised locally," he said.
Mwakesi said counties should encourage business growth and investment as part of efforts to create employment opportunities.
"The biggest measure of a governor should not be how many people are employed by the county government but how many jobs have been created outside government," he said.
He said his administration would support small enterprises, attract investors and expand procurement opportunities for local businesses.
On county finances, Mwakesi said he would prioritise addressing pending bills through negotiated payment plans with suppliers.
"There are suppliers who have waited for years. Once you pay them, that money goes back into the local economy and stimulates business activity," he said.
He said his administration would review staffing levels through consultation while creating alternative employment opportunities before implementing any workforce changes.
Mwakesi said Taita Taveta could increase revenue by investing in sectors such as tourism, mining and land valuation.
"We have focused too much on waiting for money from Nairobi instead of maximising the resources available within the county," he said.
He also called for increased investment, marketing and infrastructure development around Tsavo National Park to boost tourism opportunities.
"The Tsavo ecosystem has enormous potential but it has received far less investment than destinations like Maasai Mara. We need proper marketing and better infrastructure to attract more visitors," he said.
Mwakesi said addressing human-wildlife conflict would further support tourism growth.
On national politics, Mwakesi said the People’s Empowerment Party would seek to strengthen multi-party democracy by increasing political representation in Parliament.
"We have reached a point where once the ruling party reaches an agreement with another major party, Parliament is effectively captured and the people's interests are sidelined," he said.
Mwakesi said his party plans to field candidates across the country and secure parliamentary representation after the 2027 elections.
"I want to see more parties represented in Parliament so that every major decision requires broader consultation. That is how democracy should work. I seek to win at least 40 MP seats," he said.
