Garissa Township MP Aden Duale testifying at Milimani Law Courts in a petition challenging his victory. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale on Thursday told a court that Garissa residents voted for him because of his track record.
Mr. Duale who was testifying in a petition challenging his victory said that due to his development record in Garissa town, the votes he got against his rival were far more than what he garnered in 2013.
The Garissa Township MP told the court that he won fairly in the August 8 General Elections and defeated Mr. Farah Maalim.
Mr. Duale dismissed claims that he influenced the recruiting of presiding officers and other election officials and that his sisters bribed voters saying that Mr. Maalim provided a list from his clan to be considered for presiding officer positions.
He also denied using violence during the elections and making civil servants force Garissa residents to vote for him.
“I did not use violence, threats of force during the election. The allegations are slanderous. No complaint has been made to any police station,” said the MP as quoted by the Daily Nation.
He also denied reports that the electronic gadgets used in the poll failed on the morning of August 8, adding that the results announced at the polling stations were correct.
Mr. Maalim had moved to court seeking orders to declare the elections invalid, null and void citing that the election was not free and fair.