Taita Taveta leaders hail Thomas Mwadeghu's elevation to CORD chief whip

Taita-Taveta Governor John Mruttu. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

WUNDANYI, KENYA: Several Taita-Taveta County CORD leaders Monday supported the appointment of Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu as the coalition's Minority Whip in the National Assembly.

The leaders, who included Governor John Mruttu, Woman Representative Joyce Lay and seven Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) said the removal of Malindi North MP Gideon Mung'aro as CORD's Minority Whip was valid.

They claimed that Mung'aro had shifted his allegiance to the Jubilee coalition and his removal was long overdue.

MCAs who supported the appointment of Mwadeghu were Taita Taveta County Assembly Chief Whip Jason Tuja and Majority Leader Cromwell Baridi. Others were Roselyn Mshambala, John Maghanga, Anne Ngaluma, Valery Mwaime and Levy Mwazala.

"The position of Minority Whip was open and Mwadeghu is qualified. Those leaders opposing his selection are not sincere. They should understand that the county is part of Coast and the position is not a preserve of certain communities," said Mruttu.

"We supported Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya to win the position of vice chairman, Council of Governors. Those opposed to the appointment of Mwadeghu should swallow their pride and support him for unity to prevail in the region," he added.

The governor spoke at Mgange Dawida trading centre, Wundanyi constituency, during the handing over of Sh600,000 worth of equipment to the local Saloon Training Centre. The equipment was denoted by Baridi who is also the Mgange-Dawida Ward Representative.

"Mung'aro was nominated by ODM to vie for the parliamentary seat and has shifted his loyalty to Jubilee. In fact, more defiant legislators should be removed from the coalition as they are wrecking the party from within," said Maghanga.

Speaking separately, Ms Lay said county leaders have for a long time been supporting leaders from other parts of Coast, adding that is now time for them to reciprocate and rally behind Mwadeghu.

"There is need for such positions to be shared equally for regional integration," she said.

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