Wangui Ngirici applies to withdraw case challenging Governor Anne Waiguru's win

Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici. [File, Standard]

Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici has applied to withdraw a petition challenging Anne Waiguru's win in the Kirinyaga governorship contest.

Waiguru of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) got 113,088 votes against Ngirici's 105,677 votes to successfully defend her seat.

Ngirici, who ran on Independent ticket after losing UDA favour, alleged malpractice during and after the August 9, 2022 polls, citing violence and vote-rigging.

Through her lawyer, Brian Khaemba, Ngirici told the Kerugoya High Court on Wednesday, October 5 that she wants to withdraw the matter.

Khaemba said that while heading to the court for the pre-trial conference on Wednesday, he received a call from Ngirici, asking him to file a notice of withdrawal.

Justice Richard Mwongo, consequently, gave Ngirici seven days to formally file the withdrawal application.

The matter returns to court on October 24, 2022 for mention.

It remains unclear why Ngirici, who served as the Woman Representative of Kirinyaga County between 2017 and 2022, decided to abandon her pursuit of the election petition.

Governor Anne Waiguru's spouse Kamotho Waiganjo welcomed the withdrawal of the case, saying Kirinyaga constituents would now be served fully without any interruptions.

Waiguru is serving her second term as governor after victories in the August 8, 2017 General Election and August 9, 2022 General Election.

In 2017, during her first attempt at elective politics, the former Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) ran on Jubilee Party ticket, defeating NARC-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua.

Karua unsuccessfully challenged Waiguru's win, all the way to the Supreme Court of Kenya.