Barely a day after the Court of Appeal annulled his August 8 reelection, Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti has opened up on the blow.
The appellate court on Thursday upheld an earlier ruling by the High Court nullifying his reelection, after a petition filed by his main challenger in the race Oyugi Magwanga.
In a tweet Friday, Governor Awiti expressed gratitude to his supporters and Kenyans who have stood with him in prayers, stating that he will be communicating his next move soon.
"Thank you all who have stood with us in prayers. We shall advise on the next steps in due course," tweeted the county chief.
Deciding his fate, the three judge-bench agreed with Magwanga that the election was not free and fair.
Reading the ruling on behalf of the panel, Justice Fatuma Sichale also ordered the defendant to pay a sum of 6 million shillings in fine, 2 million of which will be paid to Magwanga.
IEBC results indicated that Awiti garnered 210, 173 votes against Magwanga's 189, 060, with Magwanga, however, claiming that he won the race with a whooping 224, 836 against Awiti's 172, 235 according to his separate tally.