KALEMBE FILES ELECTION PETITION

Politician Kalembe Ndile on Wednesday protested against the announcement of two different results for Kibwezi West constituency in a span of three days. In an election petition before the High Court in Machakos challenging the election of  Patrick Musimba as the MP for Kibwezi West, Ndile argues that tallying in most polling stations was conducted improperly.

He says the returning officer used form 35 to declare Musimba winner with 17,174 votes against his 16,975. “But on March 8, the same returning officer this time using form 36 declared Musimba winner with a different figure of 17,196 against 16,976 that I purportedly scored,” Ndile says.

The former MP, who is represented by lawyer Andrew Makundi, has sued Musimba, Kibwezi West returning officer and the electoral commission. The Kibwezi West seat had nine contestants. Ndile lists 10 grounds challenging the results.

He says counting of votes in most polling stations was done after midnight in dim light. “Some stations used light from their mobile phones and motorcycle headlight and the petitioner took video of such instances to help argue his case,” Mr Makundi said.

“This happened at Wivia primary and Kyandundu primary schools polling stations,” he said. Ndile wants the court to order a vote recount.