Over 130 petitioners file cases challenging election results

Former Kajiado County Governor David Nkedianye (centre) with his lawyers outside the Kajiado law courts where they filed a case against current governor Joseph ole Lenku. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

Election irregularities, bribery, witchcraft and an ill-prepared electoral commission are among the claims filed by at least 135 petitioners contesting results of the August 8 elections.

By Thursday evening, more than 18 petitions had been filed against governors, 54 against MPs and more than 65 against Members of the County Assembly.

In Nairobi, Ibrahim Ahmed is challenging the election of Yusuf Abdi as the MP for Kamukunji constituency. Mr Ahmed claims the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Mr Abdi the winner without following the law.

In Lang'ata constituency, Oscar Omoke has challenged the election of Nixon Korir, claiming that the election was marred by irregularities including irregularly hired polling clerks.

In Garissa, three voters are challenging the election of Senator Mohamed Yusuf Haji. Hussein Abdi, Abdikadir Mohamed and Mohamed Abdi want the court to grant a read-only access to IEBC servers, with permission to copy specific GPRS locations of each Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kit and their co-ordinates used in the county between August 5 and August 11.

In Kajiado, immediate former governor David Nkedianye has filed a petition disputing the election of Joseph ole Lenku, also citing irregularities.

Vote scrutiny

In Kibwezi, immediate former MP Phillip Kaloki wants fresh elections called and the declared August 8 winner, Jessica Mbalu, barred from participating. He wants the court to order scrutiny of the system and technology used by IEBC and scrutiny of forms 34A and 35B.

In Nandi Hills constituency, Robert Kemei, a voter, is challenging the election of MP Alfred Keter, claiming he bribed voters and campaigned beyond the IEBC-stipulated time.

In Nakuru Town West, Isoe Ochoki, who lost in the race for the MP's seat, has challenged the election of Samuel Arama. In his petition, Mr Ochoki is seeking orders to scrutinise all votes cast during the polls.

At the High Court in Kitale, voter Robinson Simiyu wants the re-election of Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba nullified, citing massive irregularities in the electoral process. Through lawyer Githonga Mureithi, the voter is claiming the elections were not fair and transparent.

Immediate former Trans Nzoia Senator Henry ole Ndiema is also challenging the win by Michael Mbito, alleging that the elections were not conducted according to the law.

Christine Tanguli, who lost the women representative seat election, is also contesting the re-election of Janet Nangabo as the Trans Nzoia County woman MP, alleging malpractices in the electoral process.

Saboti parliamentary seat loser on a Jubilee Party ticket, Jones Koku, is challenging the election of Caleb Amisi of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He wants a recount of the votes.

In Gatundu, former MP Clement Waibara wants the election of Ann Kibe annulled, claiming, among other things, that she used black magic to scare voters into backing her bid.

In Marakwet East, a voter has filed a petition to challenge the  election of MP Kangogo Bowen, who floored former Cabinet minister Linah Kilimo in the polls. The petitioner cites the disparity between the total number of valid votes cast with the total number of votes garnered by contenders for other positions.

In Siaya, former MPs Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem) and Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda) are in court seeking to nullify the election of Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo and Governor Cornell Rasanga.

Fresh elections

Mr Midiwo wants Elisha Odhiambo's election annulled and fresh elections conducted.

In Kisumu, former Governor Jack Ranguma is challenging the election of his successor, Anyang' Nyong'o.

Grace Akumu of Citizens Convention Party is also contesting the election of Woman Representative Roza Buyu. Four MCAs in the county have also filed petitions.

In Homa Bay, former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, who ran for the governor's seat but lost to Governor Cyprian Awiti, is seeking a recount of all the votes cast.

In Manyatta, Embu, MP aspirant Kinywa Mugo is challenging the victory of John Muchiri, arguing that he was rigged out in favour of the Jubilee Party candidate.

In Murang'a, voter Jane Mwaura wants the election of Kandara MP Alice Wahome nullified and a fresh election or vote recount done.

In Kwale, Mwamlole Tchapu M'bwana, a voter, has filed a petition against the election of Governor Salim Mvurya of Jubilee Party.

Mr M'bwana challenged Mvurya's re-election through lawyer Francis Kadima. Mr Mvurya retained his seat after trouncing his competitors by 119,680 votes.

Jubilee's Changamwe parliamentary race loser Abdi Daib has also challenged the re-election of his bitter rival, Omar Mwinyi of ODM.

A similar trend has been witnessed in Kakamega County, where Evans Taracha of Amani National Congress (ANC) party has contested the election of Likuyani MP Enock Kibunguchy (Ford Kenya), saying he was not validly declared the winner.

"The election was not free and fair. Some of the IEBC officials favoured some candidates, especially the incumbent," argues Dr Taracha.

In Butere constituency, Habil Nanjendo (ODM) has contested the election of Tindi Mwale who was elected on an ANC ticket.

Adrian Meja (ANC) and Anami Lisamula (independent) have filed two separate petitions challenging the election of Justus Kizito as the Shinyalu MP.

Khamisi Butichi is also seeking the nullification of Bernard Shinali (Jubilee) as Ikolomani MP. Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka is not sitting pretty either, as Isaac Omunga wants his election declared null and void.

In Vihiga County, the election of Ernest Kivayu of ANC (Vihiga constituency) is being challenged by Emily Nyabutu who vied on a Jubilee ticket.

-Report by Luke Anami, Julius Chepkwony, Osinde Obare, Michael Ollinga, Olivia Odhiambo,Dalton Nyabundi,James Omoro, James Muchiri, Patrick Beja, Jack Murima, Peterson Githaiga, Faith Karanja and Stephen Nzioka

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