Taita Taveta Senator quits ODM, supports Wiper leader Kalonzo

Taita Taveta Senator Dan Mwazo’s decision last week to endorse Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka for CORD presidential ticket has elicited mixed reactions in the county.

Mwazo (pictured) has been Raila’s close ally since the Grand Coalition Government, when he served as Tourism Minister, but lately their relationship cannot be described as cordial.

Mwazo’s decision not to participate in the ODM grassroots elections early this year was probably an indication of how sour his relationship with the party is.

Some local leaders have accused him of lacking consistency in his politics, but others termed his move as tactical, as he could be targeting the Kamba community that constitutes a significant voting bloc in the region.

Governor John Mruttu criticised the senator for having no consistent political stand. Mruttu said CORD needs leaders with a definite stand on issues and who should be bold enough to declare whether or not they belong to CORD or have other plans.

“The habit of singing different tunes on different podiums and on different days is a sign of lack of trustworthiness,” Mruttu said of the senator’s behaviour.

Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu, who is also eyeing the governor’s seat, said Mwazo has a right to endorse Kalonzo and should not be condemned for it. Mwadeghu, who is also the National Assembly Minority Whip and a member of ODM, said Mwazo has most likely defected to Wiper.

“The truth of the matter will however be known in two weeks when the list of ODM aspirants for 2017 will be out. We will know who is on our side and the moles” he said.

ODM has set November 30 as the deadline for applications from aspirants seeking to run on its ticket in next year’s polls.

Mwazo’s silence and his closeness to some senior Jubilee politicians has also kept his supporters speculating.

Last year, he accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta during the commissioning of the Arusha-Holili-Taveta-Voi road rehabilitation project in Taveta town.

When Raila toured the county recently, he told a rally at Buguta trading centre, Mwazo’s home turf, that his longtime friend had abandoned him.

“Mwazo is the first person who brought me to Kasigau ward in Voi Sub-county, but I do not see him these days. If you happen to see him, give him my greetings,” the CORD leader told a cheering crowd.

Last week, Mwazo said Kalonzo had informed him of his tour of the county unlike “others” who visited the area.

“Mr Kalonzo called and informed me that he was touring the county to seek votes and that is why I am accompanying him to tell the electorate that he is the best candidate for the presidency,” he told the rallies.

“There are some leaders who have been visiting the county to seek support without involving local leaders.”

Two opinion leaders, Richard Babu and Christopher Kileta, said ODM supporters who have been skeptical about the senator’s political future have already known that he is no longer in the party.

They claimed Mwazo had always been on the ground campaigning for Jubilee and he cannot be trusted.