Court orders arrest of ODM polls boss Pareno

The High Court has ordered arrest of the chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) elections board for failing to tabulate the nomination results for Muhoroni constituency.

Lady Justice Jessie Lessit issued the directive after Ms Judith Pareno failed to turn up in court as directed on Friday (June 2).

"ODM had been served with the order that it tabulates the results and announces the winner of the party primaries held on April 26, then announce a winner within 72 hours from May 31," Mr James Mwamu, the lawyer for petitioner Ayiecho Olweny, told the judge.

COUNT VOTES

Justice Lessit also found ODM had been properly served with the order and was therefore in contempt of the court order.

She had cancelled the nomination certificate issued to the incumbent MP James K’Oyoo after a successful petition by Prof Olweny.

The judge had directed all results including those from five wards, which had not been counted, be considered then the winner, between Prof Olweny and Mr K’Oyoo, be declared within 72 hours.

CERTIFICATE CANCELLED

Mr Mwamu, teaming with his colleague Isaiah Munje, had told the judge that Prof Olweny had won the nomination by garnering 22,967 votes while Mr K’Oyoo got 12,333 votes.

Mr Mwamu added that before proper tallying was done the MP declared himself winner then was issued with a certificate.

"ODM has not complied with the order of this court and I apply we cite the chairperson of the elections board for contempt," Mr Mwamu said then applied to have Ms Pareno summoned to attend court.

Justice Lessit directed the warrant be executed within 24 hours.