Former two-time presidential candidate Mohammed Abduba Dida has expressed disappointment after High Court Judge Joseph Sergon nullified election of Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino.
During the ruling on Friday morning, Justice Sergon ordered the controversial ODM politician to pay Sh5 million as petition costs.
Owino's August 8, 2017 election rival, Francis Mureithi of Jubilee Party filed the election petition.
Duba who unsuccessfully vied for presidency in 2013 and 2017, said the nullification of Babu and Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter's election was an indication that the Judiciary had been 'revisited' by the Executive.
"So it is this easy to nullify an election? What a judicial system we have. Babu Owino is salacious, vituperative and obviously a kid who needs guidance but he doesn't deserve the kind of treatment he has been accorded so far. The usurpers are revisiting the entire parliament!" said Dida on Twitter.
He added that Owino had won during vote recount, wondering how again the court nullified his election.
"But they recounted the votes and the young man still won. How does coercion of a returning officer amount to an irregularity? That is a case of assault! After watching the ruling on Hon Keter's and Hon Owino's cases, I must admit that I am confused. What really amounts to election irregularities?" wondered the Alliance for Real Change party leader.
Ex-Kakamega County Senator Boni Khalwale also weighed in his opinion, and asked Owino to take heart.
"Pole (sorry) kid bro, @Babu _Owino, all will be well. I will vigorously campaign for you in the ensuing by-elections," he tweeted.