Supporters of the immediate former Lamu West Member of Parliament Stanley Muthama held a peaceful demonstration I Mpeketoni town protesting against the Malindi high court judgment that nullified his election.
The supporters both young and old women and men from all the ethnic groups including Bajuni, Kikuyu, Kambas, Boni Sanye among others condemned the ruling and wondered why Muthama’s victory was slashed despite the fact that they voted overwhelmingly for him on August 8 last year due to his unique leadership skills of uniting all the people.
Carrying placards and singing songs of justice they took to the streets of Mpeketoni town from the CDF offices bringing businesses to a standstill for what they termed as an unjustified ruling.
Demonstrators who are die herds of Muthama said they were not satisfied with the Judgement of high court Judge Justice Weldon Korir who nullified with the election of the legislator on February 21.
However, they said if by-elections are held the legislator will still win with a bigger margin than the one on August 8, 2017.
Pius Mutie a resident said there were some forces within the constituency that influenced the judgment that led to the nullification of Muthama’s election.
“We know the problem we are facing is not from outside Mpeketoni some people are misleading the president that Muthama has no support on the ground,’’ he said.Ustadh Ibrahim Mohamed said Muthama had proved to be a true leader of all people in the short period he has served in office as he brought all ethnic groups together.“
I am not from his community but for the past 40 years we have not got a leader who has been able to unite all the people, we want justice we do not want our votes to be taken away,’’ he said.
Mohamed said for the six months Muthama has been in power Lamu West has witnessed change in development programs.
He said there were some leaders from the constituency who are jealous of Muthama’s development agenda in the shortest period he has been in office.
“If they are jealous in only five months what will they be if Muthama completes his five-year term, we need justice,’’ he said.
Junior Mutuwote a resident of Mikivalley in Lamu West constituency said they respect the court ruling but are opposed to the decision to nullify the elections.
Mutuwote said the petition of Muthama was in court, parties went for scrutiny and recount and still he emerged the winner but the Judge still decided to take Muthama’s victory away.
“We shall revist this, our rights will stand, there are a few leaders who ganged up to victimize our MP , Lamu people are crying for justice now,’’ he said.
Isaac Roba another resident said asked the president to intervene and give the residents justice.
Ebra Madobe from Bargoni the minority community said she was the first one from her community to work in a constituency office.
On February 21 Justice Korir nullified Muthama’s election saying there were irregularities done by the IEBC officials.