DAP-K candidate's petition against Didmus Barasa's win thrown out

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Bryan Khaemba of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) has lost a petition seeking the nullification of Didmus Barasa's win in the Kimilili parliamentary election.

The High Court in Bungoma ruled on Thursday, November 24 that Khaemba did not provide evidence of electoral violence as alleged in his petition.

Didmus Barasa of UDA was declared the winner of the August 9, 2022 parliamentary election after getting 26,861 votes against Khaemba's 9,497 votes.

Khaemba had alleged that Barasa shot and killed his bodyguard on election day, amounting to electoral violence.

Justice Mary Kasango, in her ruling, said Khaemba's allegations were yet to be proved as there's an active murder case against Barasa.

"The petition dated September 31, 2022 and its supporting affidavits are hereby struck out," said Justice Kasango.

The judge further ordered Khaemba to pay Barasa Sh1 million in compensation for the costs incurred during the case.

Barasa, who is facing murder charges, is out on bond.