Court Dismisses Martha Karua's Petition Challenging Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru Election

The High Court in Kerugoya has, for the second time, upheld the election of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.

While delivering the ruling on Thursday in a petition filed by Nark-Kenya party leader Martha Karua, High Court's Justice Lucy Gitari said the election was free and fair.

Justice Gitari said the evidence presented by Ms Karua in the petition was hearsay, contradictory and unreliable and could not warrant an invalidation of the election.

Karua had claimed that the poll was marred by massive illegalities and irregularities including voter bribery and exclusion of her agents from polling stations, but Justice Gitari said the petitioner failed to substantiate the allegations.

Judge Gitari said the case lacked merit and ordered Karua to pay costs amounting to Sh5 million. This is the second time the High Court is dismissing the former Gichugu MP's bid to have Waiguru's victory nullified.

Justice Gitari first dismissed the petition on November 15th, 2017, terming it  “hopeless, defective and incurable.”

However, Karua moved to the Appeals Court, which ruled in her favour, ordering that the case be heard afresh in the High Court.

In the ruling, Appellate judges; Mohammed Warsame, Daniel Musinga and William Ouko faulted the High Court decision to throw out Karua's petition, saying she was not accorded a fair hearing.

Karua was being represented by Lawyers Gitobu Imanyara and PN Kihara, while Kamotho Waiganjo and Paul Nyamondi represented Governor Waiguru.

Following Thursday High Court verdict, Karua said she will move to the Appellate Court to appeal the ruling.

"We are determined to pursue justice to the last mile," she said outside the court.