Former Taita Taveta Governor Eng. John Mruttu has pledged to address long-standing development challenges and healthcare shortages as he campaigns for re-election in the upcoming August 2022 general election. The incumbent governor, who is running under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), emphasized the need to revive stalled projects and improve public services during a visit to Voi in May 2022.
Mruttu pointed to the incomplete construction of two Early Childhood Education classrooms near ACK St. Monica Church in Sagalla Ward, noting the site had remained unchanged since 2017 despite allocated funding. 'It is unfortunate that these projects are yet to be concluded yet monies were set aside for the same,' he stated after inspecting the site during a church dedication ceremony.
The governor also raised concerns about the state of county-run healthcare facilities, citing persistent shortages of medical supplies and staff strikes over unpaid salaries. 'Healthcare and education sectors are completely at a standstill and people are almost giving up,' he said, referencing ongoing disputes between health workers and the current administration.
Health workers from multiple unions, including the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), had previously accused the Samboja-led government of bad faith over delayed payments. A planned strike in February 2022 highlighted the sector's instability, with officials alleging systemic neglect of public health infrastructure.
Mruttu's campaign comes as he faces incumbent Governor Granton Samboja of the Jubilee Party, alongside other contenders including Patience Nyange of NARC and Andrew Mwadime of the Communist Party. The governor urged voters to prioritize peace ahead of the election, framing stability as essential for the county's development.
