Tourism minister Dan Mwazo has declared his interest in the Taita Taveta county senator seat. Mwazo warned his rivals to prepare for "a bruising battle".

He was speaking during an ODM Taita Taveta branch aspirants meeting on Saturday. The event was attended by party leader Raila Odinga.

On Friday, Mwazo held a consultative meeting with leaders from his home area of Kasighau location. "I want to tell those running for the senator seat that we will be together in the race. Prepare for a tough battle ahead," Mwazo said.

Mwazo said he will visit all constituencies in the county to popularise his candidature self ahead of the party primaries. "I will come to all our four constituencies to talk to our people," he said. Mwazo will first battle it out for the ODM ticket with businessman Mwakazi Mtongolo and former ambassador Esther Tole.

Others vying for the seat on other parties are American based Bishop Donald Mwawasi ,former Wundanyi MPs Mwandawiro Mghanga and Mashengu wa Mwachofi respectively.

The weekend announcement has caused jitters in other aspirants in the party who view the Tourism minister as the biggest threat in their bid.

"We believe Mwazo can make it since he is currently the only ODM minister in the region.He has also emerged a strong politician within a short time," said Richard Babu, a Voi ODM official.

The new twist of political events in Voi has changed the political land scape of the constituency where Mwazo was expected to defend his parliamentary seat for a second term.

Earlier, former cabinet minister Major (Rtd) Marsden Madoka was being viewed as the best candidate for the region's senatorship but all changed when he announced his retirement in active politics this year.