All eyes will be on Machakos on Friday, February 9, 2018, as the Machakos Law court makes a ruling on an election petition challenging the re-election of Governor Alfred Mutua in last year’s polls.
Machakos High court Judge Aggrey Muchelule will make a ruling on the petition filed by former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti at 9 AM, Friday.
Ndeti challenged Mutua re-election claiming that it was marred by illegalities and irregularities.
The former Kathiani lawmaker who was vying for Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party further accused governor Mutua of allegedly using county resources to fund his campaigns.
Ndeti also alleged that Mutua intimidated her agents in some polling stations on the voting day.
The former lawmaker asked the court to nullify Mutua's re-election and order for fresh gubernatorial election. She claimed that the IEBC erred in declaring Mutua governor for the second time, noting that the will and wish of the people were subverted.
Mutua, however, rubbished Ndeti’s petition, saying it was filed based on malice and propaganda. The governor while defending his re-election in court said that he was re-elected fairly.
Mutua denied using county resources to campaign for re-election instead accusing Ndeti of malice. The hearing of the petition as marred by controversy as Ndeti and Mutua’s lawyers often engaged in confrontations.
The IEBC declared Mutua winner in last year’s Machakos gubernatorial election garnering 238,404 votes against Ndeti’s 199,257.
The petition ruling is being waited with baited breath from both Ndeti and Mutua’s side. The ruling could set a new political confrontation between Mutua and Ndeti whichever way it goes.
Machakos locals will go back to the polls in case Mutua’s re-election is nullified by the court.
Governor Mutua who has declared an interest in the 2022 presidential seat, on the other hand, will continue discharging his duties in case his re-election is upheld.