The High Court has upheld the August 8, 2017 election victory of Garissa Township MP Aden Duale.
Justice Hedwig Ongundi on Tuesday dismissed bribery claims by the petitioner, former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim.
BRIBERY
In his judgment, judge Ong’udi said Mr Duale was validly elected and claims by Mr Maalim that some voters were denied a chance to cast their votes were not true.
He also agreed with Mr Duale it was not true that he influenced the recruitment of presiding officers and other poll officials.
Garissa Township is the constituency in northern part of Kenya with the largest number of registered voters with 54,000.
Mr Maalim challenged Mr Duale’s win, stating that there were massive irregularities in the outcome.
He has also claimed that voters were bribed although he could not state where it occurred and when.
DEFENCE
“I didn’t see the bribery literary or anyone being bribed but I saw a crowd negotiating,” he said.
Mr Duale had defended his win, stating that all the results announced and declared at all polling stations in Garissa Township were correct and lawful.
He added that the results was a true reflection of the will of voters in the said constituency.
Mr Duale has also denied that he did not use any public officer to compel voters to vote for him.
He argued that Mr Maalim has failed to table evidence to back his claims.
Source: DAILY NATION