Governor Alfred Mutua and former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti. The petition filed by Ndeti seeking to nullify Governor Mutua’s re-election will start on Friday at the Machakos High court. [Photo/ plus254.co.ke]
The hearing of a petition filed by former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti challenging the re-election of Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua in the recently concluded general election will commence today (Friday) at the Machakos High court.Lawyers James Orengo, Apollo Mboya, Daniel Maanzo, T.J Kajwang and James Gichanga who represented NASA leader Raila Odinga in the presidential petition will argue Wavinya’s case in court.Ndeti filed the petition challenging Mutua’s re-election on grounds that the Maendeleo Chap Chap Governor was not elected fairly.The former Kathiani MP in her 10,000 page petition claims that the gubernatorial election was a sham and Governor Mutua was illegally declared winner.Ndeti, who unsuccessfully contested for the governor seat on Wiper party ticket claims there were massive irregularities and malpractices in the election.The former lawmaker further alleges that Governor Mutua used county resources including vehicles and funds to campaign for his re-election, contravening the election laws.Ndeti wants Mutua’s re-election nullified and a fresh gubernatorial poll ordered by the court.Governor Mutua while filing his responses in court a week ago dismissed the petition, terming it baseless and a waste of court’s time.The Maendeleo Chap Chap Party leader maintained that he was re-elected fairly and exuded confidence the petition will be thrown out.Mutua was declared winner after garnering 241,851 votes against Ndeti’s 201,780.