Judiciary should be ready to handle electoral petitions – MP

Rarieda Member of Parliament, Eng Nicholas Gumbo, has urged the Judiciary to be on standby to handle electoral-related cases in the event petitions are lodged after the Tuesday, August 8, 2017 elections.

Speaking in Rarieda Constituency during the burial of Mama Loice Odek, mother to Justice Otieno Odek of the Judicial Training Institute, Gumbo pointed out that the country is currently experiencing high levels of competition for various political seats and unlike previous elections, disputes have to arise.

In attendance were various Judiciary staffers led by Chief Justice David Maraga.

The Legislator pointed out that the electoral environment is bigger than the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and other institutions like the Judiciary that play a major role in ensuring peaceful and successful elections in the country.

The Legislator, who is eying the Siaya County gubernatorial seat, said that the country needs a robust Judiciary that will deliver justice in a timely, fair and transparent manner.

Gumbo took the opportunity to appeal to the Chief Justice to consider setting up a law court in the Constituency to bring justice closer to the people.

Former Ombudsman, Otiende Amollo, pointed out that despite the massive infrastructure in the Constituency, the residents still lack major services like banks and law courts.

Written by Ronald Kibet