Awiti, Magwanga react after court nullifies Homa Bay governor results

Homa Bay County Governor Cyprian Awiti has said that he respects the court verdict that nullified his re-election as the county’s governor.

High Court Justice Joseph Karanja issued the judgement following a petition filed by former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, who was contesting against Awiti in the gubernatorial election.

In his ruling, the judge said the petitioner proved in his affidavit that there were several alterations to forms 37B, as most of them were not countersigned. The court also noted that the IEBC failed to prove to the court that Mr. Magwanga’s documents presented to the court were forged as the commission”s legal team submitted in court.

Justice Karanja also said there were two sets of conflicting results on the gubernatorial election.

Awiti says that he is still consulting his ODM Party leader and legal team to seek proper advice on the way forward following the nullification of the gubernatorial elections.

“We have heard the verdict of the court and we will go by it, I am now waiting for my lawyers. I’m also consulting with the party leader. As soon as those consultations are over, I will be able to give you the way forward. I’m also very happy the people of Homa Bay have maintained peace as I had asked of them yesterday regardless of the court’s decision,” said Awiti.

On his part, Oyugi Magwanga welcomed the court ruling hailing the presiding judge Justice Joseph Karanja for ensuring that the voters of Homa Bay County got justice.

“Allow me again to thank my legal team which was headed by none other than Charles Kanjama. We will still stand with the people’s president Raila Amollo Odinga,” added Magwanga.

Members of the public have given out divergent reactions following the decision of the court to nullify Awiti’s victory.