Big blow to Evans Kidero as Court uphold Gladys Wanga election, Kidero to pay 3.5 Million

Evans Kidero, who had previously served as the governor of Nairobi County, had challenged Governor Wanga's win, arguing that there were anomalies in the electoral process.

A challenge that contested the election of Gladys Wanga as governor of Homa Bay in the national election held on August 9 was thrown out by the High Court, and the petitioner, Dr. Evans Kidero, was ordered to pay a fee of Ksh 3.5 million for his participation.

Kidero, who had previously served as the governor of Nairobi County, had challenged Wanga's win, arguing that the election process had been marred by irregularities.

Kidero named the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Homa Bay County Returning Officer Frederick Apopa, Wanga, Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga, and the ODM party as the first, second, third, and fourth responders, respectively, in the case that he filed.

Wanga was proclaimed the winner in the contest for governor after receiving 244,559 votes, which was more than Kidero's total of 154,182 votes.

During the presentation of the court's judgement online, the judge In the case, Justice Rosyline Aburili contended that Kidero did not prove the insinuations and was unable to convince the court with evidence. She stated that Kidero failed to provide the court with facts.

The judge publicly acknowledged that some minor irregularities were not sufficient for the exit polls to be overturned by the court, citing examples of Rapedhi Polling Station in Kanyadoto Ward of Ndhiwa Constituency, where it was unearthed that 14 ballot papers also weren't stamped. 

This polling station is located in Ndhiwa Constituency.  In this polling station, it was found that 14 ballot papers were not stamped.

She ruled that Wanga had been lawfully elected to the position of governor of Homa Bay and rejected Kidero's appeal owing to the absence of evidence supporting it.

"The petitioner is directed to pay Ksh. 2.5 million for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th respondents (Wanga, her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, and ODM)," noted the court. In addition, the petitioner is required to pay Ksh. 1 million to the IEBC (first respondent).

The court also urged Governor Wanga and Governor Kidero to make peace with one another and offer an olive branch to one another for the sake of restoring calm across the county.