Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti alongside his party leader Raila Odinga. [Photo|Kenyans.co.ke]A court has ordered for the recount of votes in an election petition against Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti.Awiti's closest opponent Oyugi Magwanga and his running mate Joshua Orero filed a petition against the second-time ODM Governor following the August 8 general elections, citing massive electoral irregularities and manipulation of results.On Thursday, High Court Judge Justice Joseph Karanja increased the number of polling stations that votes should be recounted from the 392 which the petitioner had asked for, to 400."The addition is in accordance with an earlier ruling that scrutiny would be done for votes cast at polling centers initially mentioned by the petitioner and any other centers which the court may feel necessary for the exercise," said Justice Karanja, adding that results from polling stations in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay Town, Suba South, Rangwe and Kasipul constituencies, would be re-looked into.Awiti was declared winner with 210,173 votes against Magwanga's 189,060.The recount would start from January 8, 2018 and run for 10 days, with each party in the petition being represented by three agents and a lawyer."All security features of the ballot papers must be considered during the recount. We expect a report from the deputy registrar by January 24," said the judge.

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