Wavinya denies Mutua’s claim she can’t afford ‘costly’ lawyers

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and his political rival Wavinya Ndeti have clashed over the “expensive” legal team representing Ms Ndeti in court.

In an interview with a local radio station on Friday morning, the governor wondered how Ms Ndeti is being represented in court by high-end lawyers “yet she is unable to pay her court dues”.

Dr Mutua claimed Ms Ndeti is broke and that she is yet to pay him Sh4 million as the cost of litigation in the 2013 election petition.

“In 2013 we defeated her election petition up to the Supreme Court and she was ordered to pay me Sh4 million which she is paying in small instalments up to now. How is she represented by seasoned lawyers who are paid over Sh20 million before they even step in court to take up [her] case,” asked Dr Mutua.

CLAIMS DISMISSED

Ms Ndeti, who successfully appealed against Dr Mutua’s 2017 win, dismissed Dr Mutua’s allegations that some wealthy politicians are footing her legal bills.

Responding to Dr Mutua on Friday evening, Ms Ndeti said she is a person of means.

"You know me; I am not a person to be given money. Let him not claim that I am hiring expensive lawyers. I am not corrupt,” said Ms Ndeti.

The governor claimed that Ms Ndeti is being funded by people who are scared to face him in the 2022 presidential race.

POLITICAL OUTSIDERS

The governor, who is also the Maendeleo Chap Chap party boss, claimed “political outsiders” who are not from Ukambani are using Ms Ndeti to spoil his 2022 ambitions.

“I believe she is being funded by corrupt people who are stealing public funds and are scared of my 2022 presidency,” said Dr Mutua.

But Mr Ahmednasir Abdullahi, who is one of Ms Ndeti’s lawyers, dismissed Governor Mutua’s assertions, saying his legal charges are merely the “price of a goat”.

“Wavinya brought me a goat as my fees...no third party is paying me millions on her behalf...relax Governor Mutua,” Mr Abdullahi tweeted.

AWAIT VERDICT

Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka said he will await the verdict of the Supreme Court in the Machakos gubernatorial election petition before vigorously campaigning for his candidate if another election is called.

"Our people are more united than ever before. Let us wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court and you will see my true colours," said Mr Musyoka.

Even before the Supreme Court decides on Dr Mutua’s appeal, the battle lines are already drawn with both the governor and Ms Ndeti hitting the ground running.

In March 2015, the Supreme Court upheld Dr Mutua’s victory in the March 2013 General Election.

CASE THROWN OUT

Ms Ndeti’s petition was thrown out and she was ordered to pay Sh4.5 million to the respondents as cost of litigation.

In June this year, Dr Mutua not only lost the election following an appeal by his rival but the court also ordered him to pay the cost of the suit.

At the High Court, Dr Mutua was a joyous man after Justice Aggrey Muchelule dismissed the election petition and asked Ms Ndeti to pay Sh10 million in costs.

But following a successful appeal, it is Dr Mutua who was again to pay the costs incurred by Ms Ndeti after she challenged the August 8 election results.

Judges William Ouko, Mohamed Warsame and Gatembu Kairu directed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to pay a total of Sh2.5 million to Ms Ndeti.

Dr Mutua too, was ordered to pay the same amount to Ms Ndeti.