Taita Taveta Senator Dan Mwazo’s low profile in ODM has sparked speculation that he could be plotting to jump ship. While the senator insists he is loyal to his party, his close allies say he is unsettled. Indeed, his actions appear to back their claims.
Mwazo’s close association with some senior Jubilee politicians has kept his supporters speculating. He has lately not been active in the Orange party’s affairs. The senator has skipped several ODM functions, the most recent being CORD leader Raila Odinga’s two-day tour of the county where he addressed rallies in Wundanyi, Taveta, Mwatate and Voi. Mwazo was missing in all these meetings.
The speculation that he could jump ship soon has further been fuelled by the Jubilee government’s latest overtures to tackle some of the pressing problems at the Coast, mainly land, infrastructure, tourism, health and problems in the energy sector. Sources say President Uhuru Kenyatta may visit Taita Taveta soon to present 5,121 title deeds to squatters.
Last year, Mwazo accompanied the President during the commissioning of the Arusha-Holili-Taveta-Voi Road rehabilitation project in Taveta town, a move that generated heated debate among his party's supporters. They say the senator did not even participate in the recent ODM grassroots elections although he was listed as a delegate in the controversial polls.
Some people now say the senator maybe testing the waters just in case Jubilee manages to woo county voters. His allies affirm that he is keenly weighing his options. “Mwazo cannot afford to see the locals being out of government again. It is a matter of time before he makes a big announcement,” says Mwandawiro Mbela, a close ally. “We are tired of being in the Opposition ranks. We want to be in government so we can enjoy the national cake.”
Peter Yahya, another of his allies, says the ODM party has never recognised Mwazo.
“He tirelessly campaigned for his party in the last General Election but he is now dissatisfied with it. The party has failed to recognise him and that is why he is not interested in it,” said the Kasigau sub-branch ODM chairman.
But in an interview with The Standard on Sunday, Mwazo refuted claims that he plans to join Jubilee. “I have not defected to any party as claimed. I am still loyal to ODM,” he said.
Without elaborating, Mwazo euphemistically said he was keenly watching where Kenya was headed.
Other allies say Mwazo may be keen to contest the governorship in the next General Election. “We are giving Governor John Mruttu time to work and complete his term. We will officially start our campaigns for the governor’s seat later this year,” said Obadiah Mjomba, a Mwazo associate.
But ODM loyalists have warned him that abandoning the party would be counter-productive. Voi ODM chairman and County Assembly Deputy Majority Leader John Maghanga and former branch Secretary Danson Makoma say ODM is Mwazo’s best bet if he wants to secure the gubernatorial seat.
“The senator will be digging his own political grave if he joins Jubilee. The mood on the ground is in favour of ODM,” said Maghanga.
Others think the Senator is playing mind games. “He is keeping quiet to see what people say about him,” said another supporter
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