Election Violence and voter bribery have taken the center stage in a petition that is challenging the election of Malava MP, David Ndakwa, after the by-election of November 27.
Petitioners’ witnesses revealed before Senior Resident Judge Stephen Mbugi that the electoral process was gruesome such that several groups of thugs disrupted the voting in some areas.
The Judge was told that several people were injured as a result of the violence and a vehicle was also burnt during the riot. The petitioners charged further that Ndakwa’s supporters were the ones who carried out voter bribery which is a major factor that led to the compromise of the election result.
Nonetheless, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and MP’s lawyers rejected these allegations claiming that the election was held as per the law and even the credibility and transparency standards were met.
The court also interrogated the period that Ndakwa resigned as the Member of County Assembly for West Kabras which was part of the petitioners’ issues.
They wondered if the resignation was within the legal period for contesting the so-called vacancy. Both parties are expected to return to court today for further hearing.