Governor Amos Nyaribo Survives Election Petition

Nyamira Law Courts on Thursday, February 16 upheld the victory of incumbent governor Amos Nyaribo during the August 9, 2022, general elections.

Magistrate Kimondo Kanyi ruled that the petitioners did not produce enough sufficient evidence for the nullification of the exercise.

Kanyi added that the election exercise was conducted according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) constitution and was fair, free and transparent.

Speaking after the ruling, Governor Nyaribo stated that the ruling of Justice Kanyi is a clear confirmation that he has built and ran a clean, popular and peaceful campaign during the 2022 electioneering period.

Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo during a past press briefing. /STANDARD DIGITAL

He added that the ruling brings to a closure the politicking, tension and uncertainty experienced as a county since the August elections.

"Indeed, this is a victory for the people of Nyamira. It’s now my desire that the court ruling will now allow my administration to focus on better service delivery and development for all those who spoke loudly at the ballot," he said.

"I pledge to be a leader who seeks to unify rather than divide and therefore, I call upon the County leadership to put this election episode behind us and refocus our energies on serving the great people of Nyamira."

The case was filed by a voter, Denis Ayiera, who asked the court to order scrutiny and recount of votes following the August 9 general elections, claiming that there were many errors that denied United Democratic Alliance (UDA) governor candidate Walter Nyambati victory.

Ayiera claimed that there was vote manipulation that saw Nyambati’s votes given to other candidates, including Nyaribo.

He also alleged that the IEBC had generated two different Form 36As in some polling stations, further causing confusion on which ones were authentic.

The second petition, filed by Walter Enock Nyambati Osebe, alleged a number of irregularities and malpractices, including the failure of the IEBC to comply with the law in conducting the elections.

The court also dismissed this petition after considering both parties’ arguments in a ruling that affirms Nyaribo's election and will see him serve a five-year term as Nyamira Governor.

Walter Nyambati who was Nyaribo’s main contender was appointed as the Chairperson of the Board of Geothermal Development Company for a three-year term starting on December 23, 2022.

This is the third time Nyambati is losing a petition. He unsuccessfully challenged the late former Governor John Obiero Nyagarama’s win twice.

Nyaribo, who is the incumbent, was announced the winner after garnering 82,090 votes. His closest challenger Nyambati of UDA garnered 49,281 votes.