Top court to seal Governor Mohamed Abdi's fate on Friday

Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi will know his fate on Friday as the Supreme Court will deliver its final judgment on the petition against his election on August 8, 2017.

The top court has been on the spot over the delay in the delivery of the decision, the case having gone on for more than a year.

The petition, the only remaining one at the Supreme Court that concerns a governor, has turned out to be one of the most controversial.

After the poll, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Mr Abdi, former Kenyan ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the winner.

He defeated his closest rival Mr Ahmed Abdullahi while Ahmed Muhumed (Party of Development and Reforms) emerged third in what was seen as the most competitive contest in the county's history.

SHORT-LIVED

However, Mr Abdi's victory was short-lived as Mr Abdullahi and his counterpart challenged it at the High Court, alleging "massive" malpractices.

The challengers also argued that Mr Abdi had not been cleared to vie for the seat.

The former ambassador became the first governor in the country to lose his seat.

SECOND BLOW

Mr Abdi quickly filed a notice of appeal against the High Court's decision, claiming there was no legal basis for the nullification of his win.

Both candidates hired two of Kenya's finest lawyers, hopeful for a victor - Mr Abdi hired Mr Fred Ngatia as his lead lawyer while Mr Abdullahi hired Ahmednassir Abdullahi.

Both the lawyers were part of the legal team that defended President Uhuru Kenyatta's elections victory at the Supreme Court.

Mr Abdi was, however, dealt yet another blow as the Court of Appeal upheld the lower court's invalidation of his win.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, he then took the battle to the apex court.

"GREAT MESS"

The delayed ruling put the Supreme Court on the spot, forcing it to issue a statement denying that it was deliberate.

A section of Wajir leaders and residents have in the recent weeks mounted pressure for the court to expedite the judgement, citing a negative impact on the county's economy and service delivery.

Last week, Wajir Senator Abdullahi Ali said the long court battle had affected development, thereby making the people's lives difficult. He said it had "put our county in a great mess".

"The Supreme Court should tell us whether we are going for a by-election or if the current governor will continue with his term," he said.

On Monday, however the top court's registrar noted that they were still within the 90-day timeline and have until February 21 to deliver a judgment.

The court dismissed the allegations against it as inaccurate.