Political temperature rises as Embakasi South by-poll nears
Businessman Jairus Mulei Musyoka announces his intention to vie for the Embakasi South MP seat at Jukwa Lodge inside Uhuru Park in Nairobi, January 4, 2019. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- In December 2017, the Supreme Court nullified the election of Wiper Democratic Movement politician July Mawathe.
- Accusing leaders of corruption, businessman Jairus Mulei Musyoka, who will vie for the seat, said he wants to inject new blood into the system.
- In the by-election expected to take place in March, Musyoka will face candidates including Mawathe and Sumra.
The political temperature has started rising in Embakasi South Nairobi, with a new candidate joining the race to clinch the parliamentary seat.
In December 2017, the Supreme Court nullified the election of Wiper Democratic Movement politician July Mawathe, saying the process was not free and fair.
NEW BLOOD
Businessman Jairus Mulei Musyoka announced his bid on Friday, joining Mr Mawathe and former MP Irshad Sumra.
Mr Musyoka said he was ready to face the heavy-weights in his first attempt at a parliamentary post.
Accusing leaders of corruption, he said he wants to inject new blood into the system.
"We want to bring a solution,” he said of the constituency that that 150,3015 registered voters.
The by-election is expected to take place in March.
THE CASE
The case against Mr Mawathe was filed by Mr Sumra (ODM), who lost the seat after serving for five years.
Mr Sumra told a lower court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court that his agents were tricked into taking a 30-minute break before votes were counted. He said this allowed the other agents to tamper with the results.
The politician also argued that there was no proper display of Forms 35A on the doors of polling stations and at the Embakasi Girls' tallying centre.
Further, the court heard that some election management (KIEMS) kits at three polling stations malfunctioned, making it difficult to take voters through checks.
The Court of Appeal overturned the lower court’s decision that upheld Mr Mawathe’s win.
Mr Mawathe consequently turned to the Supreme Court but lost the case.
On Friday, Mr Sumra said he expects the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct a free and fair vote.
