Ferdinand Waititu loses bid to halt poll petition against Evans Kidero

By Lucianne Limo

Nairobi, Kenya: Former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu suffered a major setback when a court declined to halt an election petition he has filed against Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.

Waititu, through his lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui, had asked the court to stay the election petition proceedings to enable him move to the Court of Appeal saying his constitutional rights have been infringed upon.

Waititu complained that his rights to access certain information have been infringed and wants the hearing of the petition stopped to seek redress at the appellate court.

Justice Richard Mwongo however, declined to temporarily halt the hearing saying the court was working on strict timelines.

“The tyranny of time in election disputes provides that we must complete the cases by September 13, which leaves us with only two and half months for hearing, submissions and judgment,” he ruled.

He also said the hearing of an election petition cannot be adjourned more than five consecutive days considering that Waititu has not informed the court when he will move to the Court of Appeal.

“The petitioner seeks stay of proceedings in court. We can’t keep the proceedings in limbo as petitioner seeks alternative redress, “said the Judge.