[Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho. [Photo/Capital FM]
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has acknowledged that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conducted a free and fair election without favouritism on August 8.
Defending himself before over claims that he colluded with the poll body to be declared winner of Mombasa gubernatorial race, Joho told the court hearing a petition against his election that he did not canvass IEBC for favours.
The second time county chief noted on Wednesday that the Wafula Chebukati led commission is a free and independent entity, thus it carried out its mandate without interference or orders from anyone.
He submitted; "IEBC did a wonderful job in the Mombasa elections, especially for the governor seat."
In his defence, Joho who is also ODM co-deputy party leader said IEBC certified his win after he beat his rivals, including Jubilee Party’s Suleiman Shahbal and Wiper Party’s Hassan Omar.
IEBC had on December 5 defended the declaration of the Mombasa Governor as the winner of the August 8 election.
The Commission’s Mombasa returning officer Nancy Kariuki told the court that the poll was conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.
She told Justice Lydia Achode that Governor Joho was duly elected so the court should uphold the declaration.
"To the best of my knowledge, the entire August 8 polls in Mombasa were free and fair. I have no doubt about that," Ms Kariuki stated.
He explained that he was present during the declaration of his victory at Bandari College tallying center but could not remember whether he signed the declaration forms.
"I cannot remember whether I am the one who signed the declaration form or my chief agent did," he testified before Judge Lydia Achode.
Governor Joho was put to task as to why he did not annex forms 37b and 37C issued to him by the IEBC in his court response.
In response he said it was not his job to present evidence to the court on behalf of the petitioner. The Governor observed that attaching them to his affidavits would amount to looking for evidence which the petitioner could search by himself.
Joho further declined to offer answer to whether all forms 37D were received at the county tallying center before he was declared governor elect.
He argued that the question should have been directed to the IEBC official in the case.
The petition was filed by former Senator Hassan Omar who vied against Joho unsuccessfully through a Wiper Party ticket.