Wycliffe Oparanya to defend win in Court of Appeal

By Luke Anami

Kakamega,KENYA; Mabel Muruli, the Kakamega politician who lost the petition against governor Wycliffe  Oparanya’s election, has appealed against the ruling.

Muruli filed the petition claiming the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission unlawfully locked her out of the race, has appealed against the ruling, setting up another duel in the corridors of power.

She told the court her name was not on the ballot even after the High Court in Nairobi had ruled that her name be printed. She asked the court to order fresh elections saying the ones held in March disregarded a court order.

However, Justice Juma Chitembwe dismissed the petition last Frday saying the evidence presented did not convince him to nullify the election. Chitembwe ruled that Muruli, who wanted to contest the election as an independent candidate, presented her nomination papers late.

“She did not have any agents at any polling station because she did not participate in the exercise and therefore her allegation of electoral malpractice cannot be proved, her rights cannot override the rights of more than 500,000 voters who are registered in the county, the election was free and fair and I hereby dismiss the petition,” he said.

Meanwhile, politicians opposed to Oparanya have vowed to continue fighting him should an opportunity arise.

“Now that the petition is over, and since our roles as senators have been clearly defined in Chapter 96, the governor should prepare for a tough battle ahead,” Dr Bonny Khalwale, the Kakamega senator has warned.

“Having brought the money to the county, if the county misappropriates the funds, I will be there to exercise my role and it should not be seen as being vindictive.”

 Political enemies

Oparanya, a former Planning and Vision 2030 Minister, garnered 259,071 votes against former Malava MP Soita Shitanda, who came second with 133,718 votes.

“I would have been comfortable working with people I have worked with before like Shitanda. However, I believe a strong senator is good for the county because I will be able to provide oversight over the running of the county affairs,” Khalwale said.

But Oparanya, in a rejoinder to Khalwale, said he is not worried over being opposed by the senator and his cronies.

“Since being elected as the governor, I have taken off and have been busy working. The petition and the appeal do not worry me,” he said. “How can someone who has never been a manager (in reference to Dr Khalwale) check someone who is more experienced like me,” the governor posed.

Oparanya vowed to fight back, saying Muruli draws her support from his political enemies. “I don’t fear being checked by Khalwale. However, I know there are people who are pushing the petitioner to file an appeal against me. But they will not succeed,” he said.

Khalwale has been a strong opponent of Oparanya’s party leader, former Prime minister Raila Odinga. Both, however, say their political differences will not derail development in the region.

“We will not differ on matters development,” Khalwale explained. Other than Shitanda, Oparanya’s other opponent is former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.