[Murang'a governor Mwangi Wa Iria. The governor's Jubilee Party nomination certificate has been withdrawn by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal. Courtesy: The Star]
Murang'a governor Mwangi Wa Iria's reelection bid has been dealt a huge blow following the nullification of his nomination by Jubilee Party by Political Parties Dispute Tribunal.
In a ruling by the tribunal on Friday, the tribunal's chair Kyalo Mbobu cited massive electoral malpractices in the April 26 primaries conducted by Jubilee in Murang'a, directing the party to conduct fresh polls within 96 hours.
"The certificate issued to Wa Iria was null and void. The tribunal consequently orders the party to organise and conduct fresh primaries within 96 hours," Mbobu ruled.
The governor will now face off with his political nemesis and Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau for the Jubilee Party ticket.
He garnered 205,976 votes against Kamau's 118,274.
Kamau, however, contested the poll results, citing ballot stuffing and voter bribery.
The lawmaker had showed intent of vying as an independent candidate during the forthcoming polls.