Kwale Gubernatorial Election Petition Hearing Kicks Off
Kwale county petition case seeking to challenge the election of Fatuma Achani as Kwale governor during the August 9 general election has kicked off at a Mombasa High Court.
According to the petitioner, results declared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) lack the threshold to make her the winner.
Dziwe Zuma told presiding Judge Francis Gikonyo that the election was marred with bribery and intimidation leading to the actual winner being denied victory.
He told the court that is why he had moved to court to challenge Fatuma’s victory on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
"I have no business with the results of the other candidates who won in other elective seats but with the results of the gubernatorial race," he pointed out.
The petitioner said he had sought court relief to nullify Fatuma’s victory over ODM candidate Hamadi Boga.
Dziwe, through his counsel Davis Mikwa, refuted claims Fatuma was validly elected.
He told the court Azimio agents were locked out in Lunga consistency and Kinango constituency polling stations.
"The Kwale gubernatorial election was marred with discrepancies as Azimio agents were locked out," he said.
The petitioner said the gubernatorial election which led to Fatuma being declared winner was not above board. Fatuma was declared winner against her closest rival with a difference of 5,700 votes.
He told high court Judge Francis Gikonyo that Fatuma had 59,674 votes while Prof Hamisi Boga garnered 5,972 votes which did not reflect the wishes of Kwale voters.
"The results were twisted in her favor against Boga," he told the court.
The petitioner told the court Fatuma took advantage of the level of illiteracy of voters at Kinango constituency polling stations further insisting that there were massive discrepancies in the two constituencies.
Tags: Uda Iebc Fatuma Achani Kwale Gubernatorial Election Petition Editor's Pick
