Voters in Magarini constituency are set to return to the poll after a Malindi court docket nullified the election victory of Harrison Garama Kombe as the realm Member of Parliament.
In a judgment delivered just about, Justice Alfred Mabeya cited huge irregularities together with poll stuffing and trade of votes throughout the August 9, 2022 ballot as the explanations for the nullification.
Former Kilifi County Meeting Deputy Speaker Stanley Karisa Kenga, who had petitioned the ballot consequence, thanked the court docket for confirming that his criticism was real as he was positive he had received the election.
Talking to journalists outdoors the Malindi legislation court docket, Mr. Kenga, who was flanked by a few of his supporters, expressed confidence that he would clinch the seat throughout the impending by-election
Mr. Kenga, who contested on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) get together ticket, polled 11,925 votes in opposition to Kombe’s 11,946, a distinction of 21 votes. The race attracted seven candidates.
UDA leaders Philip Mbaji and Daniel Chiriba referred to as on Kenya Kwanza to sponsor just one candidate for the by-election to guarantee the coalition victory and really useful that Mr. Kenga be provided that ticket.
Mbaji and Chiriba unsuccessfully contested the Rabai and Malindi Parliamentary seats on UDA tickets throughout the August 9, 2022 polls.
That is the second time Kombe has suffered a setback by way of the nullification of his election victory.
He received the seat on a Shirikisho Social gathering of Kenya in 2002 however the victory was quashed in 2007 resulting in a by-election, by which he received.
He was floored by Mr. Amason Jeffa Kingi (Present Senate Speaker) within the 2007 Normal Election however recaptured the identical in 2013, however misplaced the seat to Kingi’s brother, Michael Thoya Kingi in 2017.
Contacted for remark following the court docket’s determination, Mr. Kombe stated he would proceed serving as Magarini MP however didn’t state whether or not he would attraction the decision or wait to struggle it out within the by-election.
By Emmanuel Masha and Sironic Waithera
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