Judge summons Shahbal’s agent over perjury

By WILLIS OKETCH

The chief agent of politician Suleiman Shahbal, the main challenger in an election petition against Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho, will be taken to court to determine whether he should be charged with perjury.

Yesterday, Justice Fred Ochieng ordered Shahbal to produce David Nyonga Mwakemba before him on Monday so he can determine if the agent should be prosecuted for lying that he voted on March 4, yet he was not registered to do so.

The agent allegedly claimed that he voted on March 4 despite not being a legal voter, but the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) denies he cast a ballot.

The judge gave this order after directing IEBC to open the presidential ballot box at Kiembeni Baptist polling station in Kisauni to find out if the marked voters’ register had Mwakemba’s name.

Mwakemba was Shahbal’s second witness.

The judge gave the order after Hassan Joho finished giving evidence in defence of his election as the Mombasa governor. Joho’s election is being challenged by Shahbal on grounds that there were malpratices.

Joho has denied claims that he bribed IEBC officials to help him win in the General Election.

“I won the election on March 4 because majority of voters in Mombasa County decided that I was their choice,” said Joho.

The governor, who was being cross-examined by lawyer Gikandi Ngibuini, told the court that he was not aware of any of his agents being involved in bribery.

He said it was true that the Mombasa County returning officer, Laban Mwasigadi, cleared him to vie for the seat after Kampala University confirmed that he had completed his degree course.

Degree holder

Joho also admitted that by January, he had not attended the graduation ceremony but he had already qualified for a degree and that was why he was cleared.

The judge, however, stopped Ngibuini from asking questions concerning Joho’s degree because the matter was before another court.

“Those issues are before another court that will determine whether or not Joho is a degree holder,” said Justice Ochieng.

The governor also denied claims by a witness that he flashed a gun at Darolum polling station in Likoni constituency. “I do not carry a gun despite being licensed to have one. I had only one bodyguard as is provided for by the law,” said Joho.

Joho also claimed his rival’s supporters pelted him with stones at the Darolum polling station.