Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua at a past event. The Machakos High Court will make a ruling on the petition filed by Ndeti on February 9, 2018. [Photo/ the standard.co.ke]
Former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti has exuded confidence that the Machakos High Court will nullify the re-election of Governor Alfred Mutua in last year’s polls.Speaking to journalists at the Machakos Law Courts after making final submissions in a petition challenging Mutua's re-election on Monday, Ndeti maintained that the Machakos governor election was marred with irregularities and illegalities.Ndeti claimed that Governor Mutua allegedly used county resources to campaign for his re-election, contrary to the Election Act.The former MP also alleged that Mutua intimidated her agents in some polling stations during the counting of votes.Ndeti said the will and wish of the people of Machakos was subverted by IEBC’s move to declare Mutua winner in the gubernatorial race.The former Kathiani lawmaker who contested for the seat on a Wiper party ticket said they have proven to the court that Mutua did not win the election fairly.“We have argued and proven our case and we pray that the court sides with us and nullifies Mutua’s re-election as Machakos governor,” she said on Monday.Governor Mutua has however rubbished Ndeti’s petition, terming it as weak and false. The county boss exuded confidence that the petition will be dismissed.The Maendeleo Chap Chap Governor said he won the election in a free and fair manner, adding that his re-election was the will and wish of the people of Machakos.Mutua denied using county resources to campaign, accusing Ndeti of engaging in propaganda.“We have defended our win and I am confident that the court will side with us by throwing out the petition on February 9, 2018,” he said.Governor Mutua garnered 238,404 votes against Wavinya Ndeti’s 199,257 in the August 8 poll.Mutua and Ndeti’s lawyers on Monday made final submissions before Judge Agrrey Muchelule ahead of the February 9 ruling.