Moment of truth for governor, MP

By Job Weru and Renson Buluma

KENYA: The long wait is over for Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua and Butula MP Michael Aringo Onyura.

Courts will today pass verdicts on election petitions against the two, which will either give them a new lease of political life or send them back to the ultimate king maker; the voter. 

Speaking to journalists yesterday in Nyeri Gachagua exuded confidence that the judgement would be in his favour.

He urged the electorate to pray for him, saying he faced a myriad challenges. 

He said the judgement, which will be delivered by Nyeri High Court judge Justice James Wakiaga, had ignited excitement within the county with some opponents praying for the nullification of his election.

“I’m urging members of the public to pray for me, since this is one of my challenging moments. I am confident that the court will uphold my election on Monday (today),” he said.

The petition was filed early this year by Mr Thuo Mathenge who contested for the seat on a Saba Saba Asili party ticket. Mathenge has since joined The National Alliance party and left Saba Saba Asili, in which he was the Secretary General during the elections.

 Gachagua contested the seat on a Grand National Union ticket and is still the Secretary General of the party. Gachagua, who is represented in the petition by lawyer Njoroge Regeru, said he garnered more than 138,000 votes, 42 per cent of the total votes cast. The petitioner came a distant third.

Mathenge complained he lost the election due to his running mate’s misprinted name on the ballot paper. The ballot papers gave the name of his running mate as Geoffrey Gitonga Ndegwa instead of Geoffrey Kamau Kibui.

Aringo’s fate as the MP for Butula will also be determined today morning when Busia resident judge Francis Tuiyott passes his judgement on a petition filed by a voter.

Malpractices

Tuiyott said all parties involved in the Butula election petition had already been notified about the judgement date. 

“I shall determine the case on Monday starting at around 11am,” said Tuiyott.

The judge at the same time urged supporters of both sides to exercise restraint during the ruling, which he maintained will be fair and just.

“Matters of election petitions are emotive but I ask all the parties involved to be peaceful and show respect to one another,” said Tuiyott.

The election of Onyura, a first-time MP who contested on Federal Party of Kenya under the CORD coalition was challenged by voter Philip Osore Ogutu who alleged malpractices.

Osore in his sworn affidavits alleged that the MP’s election was not free and fair because the poll was marred with irregularities.

Osore had also accused the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) of not observing transparency and accountability during the electioneering period.

He alleged election offences such as voter bribery, voter intimidation, violence and manipulation of figures by the IEBC officials as some of the issues that occurred during the election and called for the nullification of the election.