Wajir Governor Mohamed Mahamud at a past event. The Governor failed to show up in a case challenging his election. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Wajir Governor Mohamed Mahamud on Friday failed to show up in court in a case challenging his election.The petitioners through lawyer Ombati Omwanza are now demanding an explanation on why the county boss failed to testify in court.“Why is the governor not turning up in court to defend his election victory. Is it because he will be embarrassed before the court on his questionable academic qualification?” questioned the lawyer.The governor’s lawyer, Tom Macharia, in a sworn affidavit presented to the court said it was not important because the county's boss' agents represented him.“Section 57 of the Election Regulations creates the position of chief agents in all constituencies. Since the chief agent has testified, there is no need for the governor to appear in court and testify even though he swore an affidavit,” said Macharia, as quoted by The Star.Former Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and another petitioner Muhumed Abdi had moved to court seeking orders to declare the elections invalid, null and void.A Jubilee agent, Mr Mohammed Abbas told the court that the former governor, Mr Abdullahi, lied that the elections in the county were not free and fair.Abbas said he monitored the voting throughout the day and there were no cases of voter bribery as alleged by the former county boss.The petitioners in their suit papers said Mahamud was not validly cleared as a candidate since he did not have the required academic qualifications.The court directed the parties in the case to file their submissions on December 13, 2017.