Big win for Governor Anne Waiguru as Supreme Court dismisses petition

Narc-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua has been dealt a blow after the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed her petition challenging the election of Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru.

In the ruling read by Justice Isaac Lenaola, the Judges further directed that each party bears costs of the proceedings at the High Court, Appelate Court and the Supreme Court.

The ruling comes after Karua moved to the Supreme Court to appeal the dismissal of her case challenging the election of Governor Waiguru.

In dismissing Karua’s appeal, the Appelate Judges ruled that she had failed to prove her case beyond reasonable doubt on claims that there was bribery in the gubernatorial election in 2017.

Karua had however alluded that Governor Waiguru had prior knowledge of the court ruling.

“For a respondent who never came to court during hearing, but comes to court for judgment complete with a battery of media in tow and a celebration party, leaves one wondering whether she was aware of the outcome,” said Karua.

In June 2018, the Kerugoya High Court dismissed Karua’s petition challenging the election of Governor Waiguru.

Judge Lucy Gitari threw out the petition on grounds that it lacked merit and ordered her to pay costs amounting to Ksh.5million.

Karua then moved to the Appeal Court a week later to challenge the decision.

She vied for the Kirinyaga gubernatorial in 2017 but lost to Waiguru who garnered 153,353 votes (53,87 per cent).

Karua got 116,626 votes (40.97percent) while the previous Governor Joseph Ndathi garnered 4,496.