Returning officer: Petitioner in case against Kisii Senator Chris Obure’s election is an imposter

By Robert Nyasato

Kisii, Kenya: A man seeking to overturn Kisii Senator Chris Obure’s win through a petition was not a chief tallying agent as he claimed in his evidence, an election court heard.

Giving his evidence onThursday, Kisii County Returning Officer Shem Nyang’au said the petitioner, Mr Charles Mogere was an imposter as his name was not appearing as one of those engaged for the job.

Earlier, Mogere while testifying on oath, told the court sitting in Kisii that he was Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) candidate Omingo Magara’s Chief Tallying Clerk stationed at the Gusii Institute of Technology County Tallying Center.

But on the contrary, Nyang’au in his examination in chief by Charles Rigoro said Mogere was not among the agents trained by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) ahead of the March 4 General Elections.

“The name of the petitioner does not appear in the register of those who trained as party agents,” he submitted.

Nyang’au told trial judge, Justice Ruth Sitati that it was mandatory for all agents to be trained and Mogere’s name never featured in those that underwent the training.

Although Mogere filed the petition as a voter, Nyang’au punched holes in his testimony questioning his role as a chief tallying clerk yet he never participated in one of the crucial stages.

Mogere has cited Obure, the IEBC and Nyang’au as respondents in the petition and at one point prayed that his party’s candidate-Magara be declared winner if the court established that he won.

The CRO refuted evidence adduced in court by Caren Magara who was PDP Alternate Chief Tallying Clerk that she made complaints about delay of results from Bobasi constituency.

Nyang’au testified that Caren only shouted in the tallying hall but never made any formal complaint orally or written.

The CRO said the senatorial polls were conducted as provided for in law and the outcome reflected the will of the electorate.