Witness: Petitioner wanted to bribe me

By Alex Namuliro

Kakamega, Kenya: A witness in the petition against the election of Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe on Friday told the Kakamega High Court the petitioner had attempted to bribe him with Sh50,000 to testify against the MP.

Fredrick Lukalia told presiding judge Justice Juma Chitembwe he was taken to a hotel by the petitioner Joseph Amisi Omukanda in April this year where he wanted to give him Sh50,000 so that he testifies he witnessed negligence during elections.

“They took me to the hotel and offered me Sh50,000 so that I come to testify as one of the witnesses on the petitioner’s side to convince the court I witnessed Form 35 not being signed something that is not true according to my knowledge,” the witness who was a IEBC clerk told the court.

Claims strange to me

When the MP took to the dock, he underscored the fact that he won the election and the petition is a waste of time.

The case continues on July 18 where both sides are expected to make their submissions since all witnesses have already testified.

In another case also on Friday in same court under Justice George Dulu, Kwhisero MP Benjamin Andola finally took to the dock where he testified in the election petition challenging his election. He told the court all the claims from the testimonies of the petitioner’s witnesses are not true and are only a fabrication.

“I was not involved in voter bribery,” Mr Andola told the court during cross-examination by the petitioner’s lawyer Albert Simiyu.

Also denying allegations in Harbet Swaka’s affidavit who was one of the witnesses the MP disqualified claims the returning officer confused the MPs name with that of the petitioner during the declaration of result.

The hearing continues on Wednesday under Justice George Dulu.