Court stops ASK elections after candidate claims he was locked out over his wife's disparaging remarks

Elections to pick new officials of the giant Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) have been stopped by the High Court.

Lady Justice Pauline Nyamweya suspended the polls that had been scheduled for today following an application by the society’s vice-chairman Charles Owelle who claimed he had been locked out unfairly. Owelle alleged he was disqualified because his wife had allegedly insulted some officials.

“An order is hereby granted suspending the ASK polls scheduled on February 28 for a period of 14 days pending hearing and determination of the complaints raised by the applicant against his disqualification for the said elections,” ruled Nyamweya.

Mr Owelle, in his application, argued he cannot be punished and denied the chance to contest for the society’s chairmanship because of the sins of his wife which had not even been confirmed to be true.

His lawyer Walter Amoko said Owelle’s exclusion from the race for chairmanship was a deliberately orchestrated conspiracy by the society’s top leadership to plant people of their choice.

“He was subjected to an unlawful disciplinary process on account of comments his wife made to one of the other vice-chairmen who is also vying for the chairmanship. He was then barred from contesting on such flimsy grounds,” he said.

Owelle has sued the society’s chairman Annabella Kirinya, CEO Batram Muthoka and trustees James Njenga, Steward Madzayo, Alice Kyala, Benson Kaaria, Achiya Echakara, Rhoda Obadha and Gen (rtd) Jeremiah Kianga.