As the Kwale Governor-elect Fatuma Achani is preparing for inauguration on August 25, her opponents are moving to court to challenge to the results.
Achani (UDA) who defeated five men in the race—Chai Lung'anzi (PAA), Hamadi Boga (ODM), Chirau Mwakwere (Wiper), Gereza Dena (KANU) and Sammy Ruwa (independent)—is accused by the opponents of rigging the election.
Ruwa conceded defeat but Boga, Chai, and Mwakwere vowed to move to court to challenge Achani's victory.
Dena has since then decided to take a low profile and has never commented.
Speaking in a phone interview, aspirant Boga campaign spokesperson Halimu Shauri said it is not over and that Achani should brace herself for a tough court battle.
"There is no law to stop a governor from being sworn in, it only exists for the president but that's not the end we are moving to court for justice to prevail," he said.
In the concluded August 9 general election, Achani bagged 59,674 votes against her close competitor Boga 53,972 followed by Lung'anzi 47,301, Mwakwere 9,639, Ruwa 5,562 and Dena 2,310.
Shauri said the process to file the petition is at an advanced stage and anytime from next week, they will take the matter to court.
He said Achani should prepare for many different lawsuits unless advised otherwise by the High Court.
"If anything, then she should prepare for many different cases unless the judges at the High Court consolidate them if they seem similar," he said.
Shauri said each candidate shall pursue the matter in court individually.
"Why should it be a combined effort and each went to vie alone," he added.
Last week, Lung'anzi said they have teamed up to dispute Achani's win in court.
The former KPA employee said they resolved to reject the results because the election was marred by multiple electoral malpractices.
"The election was not conducted in a free and fair manner. We strongly condemn that and will not accept the results," he said at an interview in Kinango.
Similar accusations were also made by Mwakwere who poked holes in the entire voting process and faulted IEBC for failing to deliver a free and fair election exercise.
However, the county IEBC officials denied all the allegations.
Achani served for 10 years as Kwale Deputy Governor and had the support of the incumbent governor Salim Mvurya.
According to county secretary Sylvia Chidodo, the preparation for the power transition ceremony is going on smoothly.
She said the inauguration will be held at the newly constructed Kwale stadium in Kinarini within Matuga constituency.
The previous swearing-in ceremonies were conducted at Kwale Baraza park in Matuga.
Achani will be sworn in alongside her deputy Chirema Kombo.
County information officer Daniel Nyasi said everything is on course and the transition exercise will take place as scheduled.
He said the assumption of office committee is working around the clock to make the exercise a successful one.
