Court Throws Out Martha Karua's Petition Challenging Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru's Victory

The Kerugoya High Court on Wednesday quashed Nark Kenya leader Martha Karua's petition seeking the invalidation of Anne Waiguru's August 8th election as Kirinyaga County Governor.

While dismissing the petition on basis of technicalities, Kerugoya High Court judge Justice Lucy Gitari termed the case by the former Gichugu MP as "hopeless, defective and incurable".

Karua had lodged her petition through lawyer Gitobu Imanyara and sought the nullification of the former Devolution Cabinet Secretary's August 8th victory, saying it was not free and fair. In the petition, Karua cited Supreme Court's ruling that annulled President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election as one of the basis the court should use to cancel Waiguru's win.

Karua further claimed that 48,000 votes were irregularly added to the final tally to the advantage of Waiguru and that ballot boxes had been tampered with.

However, through lawyer Paul Nyamodi, Waiguru filed a plea before the court arguing that the petition by Karua was presented in an irregular procedure, and should, therefore be dismissed.

Waiguru garnered 161,373 votes to be declared the winner of Kirinyaga governor seat, while Karua came second with 122,091 votes.