Munya urges court to throw out case against him

 Governor Peter Munya. (Photo: Dennis Okeyo, Standard)

Meru Governor Peter Munya Wednesday urged the High Court to throw out a petition seeking to block him from defending his seat.

Munya, who is represented by city lawyer Okong'o Omogeni, told Justice Alfred Mabeya sitting in Meru that the petition by businessman Isaiah Kithinji lacked seriousness and was brought to court purely to annoy the respondent.

"This is a classical case of a petitioner who seeks to abuse the court process, attract publicity and play politics in a courtroom," Omogeni said.

Omogeni urged the court not to entertain the issue, saying this was not the right forum to make the declarations sought.

"The Constitution has created institutions where allegations of corruption against any State officer can be made," he said.

Kithinji wants Munya barred from presenting his papers to IEBC, arguing that his government has on many occasions been censured by the Auditor General.

Justice Mabeya Wednesday listened to Omogeni, a lawyer for IEBC and four lawyers led by Kiogora Mugambi and Ndegwa Njiru for the petitioner.

Njiru told the court to dismiss the preliminary objection as it lacked merit.

The petitioner said EACC had filed an affidavit, admitting they were probing Munya over various allegations.