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22 MPs to face court battles
Story by SUNDAY NATION Correspondent
Publication Date: 1/27/2008
Less than a fortnight since the 10th Parliament was sworn in, some
of its members are already facing petitions challenging their
election. At least 22 election petitions challenging the election
of some of the 206 MPs have been filed.
The constituencies whose elections are disputed and are being
challenged in court include Kajiado North, Embakasi, Juja,
Makadara, Ndhiwa, Sirisia, Starehe, Mandera Central, Kitutu Masaba,
Garsen, Ndia, Eldama Ravine, Bomachoge, Dagoretti, Kisumu Town
West, Matuga, Gatundu North, Ikolomani, Malava, Kitui Central,
Dujis and Naivasha.
Despite the scant history of success in electoral petitions,
losers in the just-concluded polls seem ready to contest the
election of their opponents.
Election petitions have always been a tricky affair in Kenya.
Twenty five petitions were filed after the 2002 elections, of
which 12 were struck down. At least 10 other petitions remained
unresolved as Kenyans went to the polls in the 2007 General
Election.
The first petition was filed against the newly appointed minister
for Foreign Affairs Moses Wetangula as the MP for Sirisia by ODM
loser John Koyi Waluke. Mr Waluke claims to have won the election
with over 400 votes, but the returning officer overturned the
result in favour of the minister.
Other petitions against political heavyweights include one
challenging the election of Internal Security minister George
Saitoti. Politician Moses Sakuda wants the court to declare the
election of Prof Saitoti null and void, claiming it was marred by
irregularities.
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