Court to deliver verdict in Wetang’ula-Kombo tussle

Musikari Kombo speaks to journalists at a past meeting. The High Court will today deliver its verdict on the petition filed by former MP Musikari Kombo challenging the election of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Security in Bungoma Town has been beefed up, with officers from the General Service Unit, regular and Administration police intensifying their patrols.
  • Webuye East MP Alfred Sambu, whose victory is also being challenged by a voter, Mr Moses Lukoye, will also know his fate.

The High Court will today deliver its verdict on the petition filed by former MP Musikari Kombo challenging the election of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula.

Security in Bungoma Town has been beefed up, with officers from the General Service Unit, regular and Administration police intensifying their patrols.

The hearing of the case has been marked by high emotions and drama as each side sought to outdo the other.

Besides giving a verdict in the case against Mr Wetang’ula, Mr Justice Francis Gikonyo is expected to deliver two other rulings.

Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu will also know his fate in a petition filed by Mr Murumba Chikati, who vied for the seat on a UDF party ticket and lost.

Webuye East MP Alfred Sambu, whose victory is also being challenged by a voter, Mr Moses Lukoye, will also know his fate.

Mr Kombo filed the petition after losing to Mr Wetang’ula in the March 4 election, citing massive irregularities.

Mr Kombo, in an affidavit, cites alleged inaccuracies in submission of results from various polling centres by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials and intimidation of his agents, among other 11 counts, as grounds that necessitate nullification of Mr Wetang’ula’s election.

POLITICAL OPPONENTS

Mr Wetang’ula, Bungoma County returning officer Madahana Mbaya, and the IEBC are named as respondents in the petition.

Mr Kombo was seeking the Bungoma Senate seat on a New Ford Kenya party ticket.

He vied for the seat alongside other seasoned political opponents who included Mr Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya), Dr Mukhisa Kituyi (UDF), Mr Lawrence Sifuna (URP) and Mr Jeremiah Kukubo (TNA).