Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is considering his next course of action after losing a petition in which he challenged the election of Gladys Wanga as Homa Bay governor.
Kidero lost to Wanga in the August 2022 election after garnering 154,182 votes against 244,559 for the governor.
His petition challenging the outcome was on Tuesday dismissed by Justice Roselyn Aburili for lack of evidence.
Kidero took to social media after the judgment where he told supporters that he and his lawyers were looking at the judgment before deciding on the next course of action.
He did not indicate whether he would appeal even though the judge gave him 14 days to file his appeal if aggrieved.
“In the mean time we plead with the people of Homa Bay to remain calm,” Kidero said.
He is unlikely to appeal the ruling if he is appointed Chief Administrative Secretary having been shortlisted and interviewed by the Public Service Commission.
Justice Aburili admitted that there were some minor irregularities in the elections but they were not significant for the election results to get nullified.
The petition was dismissed with costs in which Kidero will pay Wanga and Magwanga Sh1.5 million. He will also pay ODM Sh1 million as well as another Sh1 million to the IEBC.
“The burden of proof lies on the petitioner and he has to prove them beyond reasonable doubt. The petitioner has failed to prove how the alleged electoral malpractices interfered with Homa Bay gubernatorial election outcome,” Aburili ruled.
In her statement to supporters, Wanga said the court has spoken and they celebrate the judgment.
The governor asked Kidero to accept the judgment of the court and give them an opportunity to serve the people of Homa Bay diligently. She wished Kidero well in his endeavours.
“For me and my team it’s twende kazi. We have many priority projects and matters to engage in,” Wanga said.
Some Homa Bay residents have appealed to the two leaders to work together.
The residents Samuel Okach and Michael Akello want the two politicians to bury the hatchet and initiate develop in the county.
Okach asked both Wanga and Kidero to combine their manifestos to ensure they bring develop in Homa Bay.
During campaigns Kidero pledged to revive the collapsed Capital Fish factory in Homa Bay town. The former governor said he would talk to an Israeli investor to come and help him revitalise the factory.
He also pledged to install ginnery in Kendu Bay and revive cotton production in the county. Kidero also said he would build sugarcane factory in Ndhiwa.
Okach said Kidero is a resident of the county who should support the area's development even if he does not become governor.
He asked Wanga to dialogue with Kidero for the sake of unity among the residents.
“Homa Bay people are yearning for development and we expect the good agenda which Kidero had implemented by working together with Wanga,” Okach said.
Akello asked Kidero to focus on strengthening his Democratic Congress Party ahead of 2027 elections as he asked him not to appeal the case.
He wants Kidero to work closely with Kenya Kwanza administration led by President William Ruto to ensure delivery of development projects.
President Ruto had launched construction of affordable housing project in Homa Bay town. The state is expected to build 5,000 units in Homa Bay.
Akello argued that Kidero has political support beyond Homa Bay.
“Your strength is more than Homa Bay alone. Recruit members in your party and make friends to ensure you achieve your political agenda,” Akello said.
-Edited by SKanyara
