A recount of votes in the Starehe parliamentary election began Monday amid tight security in Nairobi as a petition challenging the election of MP Amos Mwago draws to a close.
Mwago who ran on the Jubilee party ticket during the August 9, election beat his rival Simon Mbugua of UDA after garnering 50,787 votes.
Mbugua, a former East African Legislative Assembly lawmaker got 35,548 votes.
The results were declared by constituency returning officer Millia Wanjiru in one of the controversial elections in Nairobi.
There had been chaos and delays at the Starehe constituency tallying centre at Jamhuri High School before the results were declared.
That result was challenged in court by three voters who demanded a vote recount, saying the process had been marred by irregularities.
The three petitioners are Stanely Kyalo, Peter Waihenya and Samuel Nduhiu.
They alleged the election was marred by violence during voting and tallying and that the returning officer was forced to announce results that were not fully tallied amid the chaos.
In their petition, the three voters wanted Mwago's victory nullified and the returning officer prosecuted. They also sought a recount.
Justice Martin Muya who is hearing the petition ordered a recount of votes in the constituency, a process that began on Monday at the Industrial area amid tight security.
The Star found the verification of ballots ongoing but officials said journalists were not allowed to take pictures.
