Oundo: Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission didn’t include my title

By RENSON BULUMA

BUSIA; KENYA: A candidate who unsuccessfully contested the Funyula parliamentary seat has blamed the electoral body for his loss.

Dr Wilberforce Oundo, who vied for the seat on a United Democratic Front ticket, told the High Court in Busia during the hearing of a petition challenging the election of Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, that IEBC’s failure to recognise his ‘earned’ academic credentials, title and use of his unofficial name ‘Mudenyo’ on the ballot cost him victory.

“My supporters know me as Dr Oundo Mudenyo and this is the name they were looking for on the ballot paper on the Election Day. So they were forced to vote for my opponents when they failed to see it,” said Oundo. He blamed the electoral body’s officials for not guiding voters who needed help during the election, adding that with over 60 per cent of people being illiterate, confusion created as a result of missing names and titles contributed to his loss.

Oundo noted that the election was marred by bribery, voter intimidation and violence, claiming this made voters shun the exercise. “I reported the matter to returning officer Samson Ojiem Oriedo but he failed to take necessary action,” said oundo.

Right procedure

The witness produced a transcript of a call list from Safaricom Ltd that he allegedly made using his mobile phone on Election Day, which indicated that he communicated with the returning officer to register his complaints. IEBC lawyer Mutahi said the witness did not use the right procedure to report the matter since he was required to present a written report of his complaints.

The witness had a difficult time during cross-examination by Otuoma’s lawyer, Siaya Senator James Orengo, who sought an explanation why he (Oundo) thought he was the only one whose title was not included. Orengo said all candidates’ titles and academic credentials, including Otuoma, who is a veterinary doctor, were not on the ballot.

But in a shock response that caused laughter in the packed courtroom, the witness who studied Land Economics at the University of Nairobi rubbished Otuoma’s doctorate degree in veterinary medicine.