Laikipia Governor survives as Supreme Court upholds his election

Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi

The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi.

The apex court judges dismissed a petition by a voter who claimed the governor did not qualify to vie for the seat. “It is clear that the main dispute in the petitionwas Mr Muriithi’s candidature as an independent candidate after the dispute that surrounded the Jubilee Party primaries. We find that the petition lacks merit since the issue had been resolved through other mechanisms,” ruled the judges.

The judges found that Muriithi legally resigned from Jubilee Party after the disputed primaries.

Justice Smokin Wanjala who read the decision on behalf of the other judges, stated that all pre-election disputes including nomination of candidates should be taken to IEBC or the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal for resolution.

At the same time, the Supreme Court upheld the election of Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito Mugali saying the election was free and fair.