Taita Taveta MPs Shift to Opposition, Join “Ruto Must Go” Campaign

Two Members of Parliament from Taita Taveta County, Wundanyi’s Danson Mwashako and Voi’s Abdi Chome, have officially joined the opposition and pledged to lead the “Ruto Must Go” movement in the region. 

Previously allied with President Ruto, both Wiper Party MPs had recently apologized for opposing the 2024 Finance Bill and expressed support for Ruto’s re-election during his coastal tour. However, they’ve now reversed course, committing to work alongside Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to rally support for the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. 

Speaking in Voi town, the lawmakers declared they would mobilize the local population to help unseat the Kenya Kwanza government, criticizing it for failing to deliver on promises such as job creation, free education, and improved healthcare. 

Mwashako, who also chairs the Coast Parliamentary Group, said both President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, now part of the expanded government, must be voted out. Chome echoed these sentiments, stating the opposition is committed to restoring accountable leadership and vowed to lead the charge. 

The two MPs will likely face strong political competition from local leaders aligned with Ruto, including former governors John Mruttu and Granton Samboja, Woman Rep Lydia Haika, Senator Jones Mwaruma, and Taveta MP John Bwire. Notably, Samboja was recently appointed as chair of the Pyrethrum Board in what’s seen as a strategic move to boost Ruto’s influence in the region. 

Historically, Taita Taveta has leaned toward the opposition. In the last elections, UDA secured only two seats: woman representative and Rong’e Ward. Wiper dominated with three parliamentary and four ward seats, while Jubilee and ODM won one parliamentary and five ward seats respectively. 

Mwashako and Chome accused the government of deceiving the local community with unfulfilled promises and excluding them from major development and appointments. They specifically pointed to unresolved squatter land issues, failure to implement the promised 50-50 revenue sharing from Tsavo National Park, blocked access for local miners to the park, and unfulfilled pledges on ranger recruitment. They argued that despite Tsavo occupying 62% of the county’s land, residents receive little to no benefit from it.