Midiwo reprieve as Caroli, Muhia axed
Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo. ODM declared Mr Elisha Odhiambo the victor in Gem with 13,565 votes as Mr Midiwo polled 8,125 votes. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The cancellation of results for Gem followed a petition by the National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader Midiwo.
- Justice John Mativo ruled that Mr Omondi had not finished the mandatory three months when he was not a member of any political party.
Gem Member of Parliament Jakoyo Midiwo was yesterday handed a lifeline after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal cancelled ODM nominations in the constituency and gave the opposition party 24 hours to pick a candidate for the August 8 General Election.
At the same time, the High Court quashed a decision by the tribunal to nominate Nyandarua Woman Representative Wanjiku Muhia as the Jubilee Party candidate.
The cancellation of results for Gem followed a petition by the National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader Midiwo.
NAMES HELD BACK
Meanwhile, Suba South parliamentary seat aspirant Caroli Omondi, a former aide to then-Prime Minister Raila Odinga, lost his bid in court to vie as an independent candidate.
The tribunal also directed Jubilee not to present the name of Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria to the IEBC as its candidate until a dispute filed by his rival, Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, is heard and determined.
High Court judge Stella Mutuku also directed Jubilee not to submit the names of either Nominated Senator Martha Wangari or her rival, incumbent MP Nderitu Mathenge, for the Gilgil Constituency seat.
UNSIGNED RULING
In the Nyandarua dispute, Justice Mutuku directed Jubilee to present in court the election results in which Ms Faith Wairimu Gitau was nominated.
The tribunal had directed the ruling party to issue a nomination certificate to Ms Muhia, saying polling was marred by violence and that “ voting materials were burned”.
Jubilee had nominated Ms Gitau, who was declared the winner with 106,004 votes against Ms Muhia’s 75,000.
Rejecting the decision of Jubilee’s Nationals Appeals Board, PPDT chairman Kyalo Mbobu said: “We cannot rely on an unsigned ruling.”
ODM declared Mr Elisha Odhiambo the victor in Gem with 13,565 votes as Mr Midiwo polled 8,125 votes.
WIPER MEMBERS
Justice John Mativo ruled that Mr Omondi had not finished the mandatory three months when he was not a member of any political party, having resigned from ODM on May 8, saying the 90 days would lapse on election day.
The hearing continues today.
Gubernatorial aspirant Wavinya Ndeti’s fate hangs in the balance following a petition by Machakos Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala, who is seeking to unseat Dr Alfred Mutua.
Mr Kiala claims votes reportedly cast on May 7 were over 234,000 yet registered Wiper members were 88,000.
