Migori Governor Okoth Obado fights to retain seat

By Kurian Musa

Kenya: Migori Governor Okoth Obado put up a spirited fight to remain at the helm after he lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court in Nairobi Thursday.

He got a reprieve when Justice Mohamed Warsame granted him conservatory orders until Tuesday next week when the case will be heard before a two-judge bench.

The respondents, Edward Akong’o and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), strongly opposed the application.

Obado is embroiled in a legal battle with his main challenger Akong’o, who successfully petitioned the Court of Appeal in Kisumu.

“The process of electing the governor may begin and swearing in of Migori Speaker Gordon Ogolla to serve in an interim capacity will begin,” lawyer Okong’o Omogeni told the court.

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Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi supported the petition, saying the case is of great public importance and should be heard as a matter of priority.

The application seeks the nullification of the Court of Appeal ruling.

Justice Warsame certified the application as urgent and granted conservatory orders not to swear in the speaker as acting governor. He also stopped IEBC from conducting gubernatorial elections in Migori.

“There is danger that this application may be overtaken by events if Article 183 is set in motion and there cannot be a reverse gear because a by-election will take effect before my client’s case is heard and determined,” said Ahmednasir.