Double blow for Othaya poll loser Peter King’ara

By MURIMI MWANGI

Nyeri, Kenya:The High Court in Nyeri Tuesday dealt a double blow to a poll loser challenging the election of Othaya MP Mary Wambui.

Justice Jairus Ngaah dismissed two applications by   city lawyer Peter King’ara who wanted Wambui to produce her academic papers in court.

Justice Ngaah also rejected a bid for recount of parliamentary votes from all polling stations in the constituency.

The judge noted that the question of whether Wambui had the academic qualification to contest the parliamentary seat could be determined in the main petition.

“Ordering for the third respondent’s papers at this stage will pre-empt the petition because it is a main issue for determination in the main petition,” Justice Ngaah said.

King’ara had requested the court to order Wambui to furnish the court with her ‘O’ level and post-secondary diplomas, claiming she was not academically qualified to contest a parliamentary seat.

Ngaah said it was up to the petitioner to convince the court that attainment of ‘O’ level certification was mandatory under the electoral laws.