Former Teso South Member of Parliament Mary Otucho Emaase. [Photo/Courtesy]
Former Teso South Member of Parliament Mary Otucho Emaase's bid to have a repeat election was dashed on Wednesday when her petition against incumbent Geoffrey Omuse was dismissed with costs.
Busia High Court presiding Judge Kiarie Waweru Kiarie said nothing had been proved to the contrary.
"The first respondent was validly declared as the elected MP for Teso South Constituency. The petition is accordingly dismissed," said the judge.
On the issue of costs, the judge said the petitioner would pay the 1st respondent the cost not exceeding Sh2 million and the 2nd respondent (IEBC) Sh1 million.
Emaase who vied on a Jubilee ticket got 22,493 votes in the August 8, 2017 general elections behind Omuse of Orange Democratic Movement who garnered 22,840 votes.
The Judge dismissed all the seven grounds including improper influence, violence, threats and intimidation by the Governor of Busia County Sospeter Ojaamong during the tallying process in Amukura.
Judge Kiarie said Ojaamomg was a candidate for Busia gubernatorial seat, like any candidate he had the right to visit the tallying centre as long as he did not act in a way that would negatively impact the results.
"What the petitioner herein attributed to him as the cause of the disruption was the cheering he received from his supporters. There was no evidence that he encouraged them to do so," he said.
Omuse extended an olive branch to Emaase and other opponents to join hands with him to develop the constituency, adding that education, electricity, roads and youth and women empowerment would be prioritized.
Busia First lady Judy Ojaamong and ODM County Youth League chairman James Anyango lauded the court for the verdict and urged Teso South residents to put politics aside and focus on development.