Martha Karua reveals how DP Ruto's team rigged elections in favour of Waiguru
The hearing of the case continues on April 17.
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Speaking while being cross-examined by her lawyer Charles Njuru Kihara, Mrs Karua maintained that a Mr Lelasang, a senior security officer in the office of the DP, and Mwea West OCPD Swaleh Kiptoo were among State officials who meddled with election.
Karua revealed that the two held a series of meetings with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries (IEBC) official identified as Julius Maingi, who was the returning officer for the polls, leading to unfiar win by Ms Waiguru.
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“I confronted them and Mr Maingi admitted meeting Mr Peter Ndambiri [Waiguru’s running mate] but said he only greeted him. I was shocked because security and electoral officers are supposed to be neutral,” said the Narc Kenya party boss.
Massive voter bribery
Mrs Karua also accused Mr Ruto and Waiguru of bribing voters during campaigns adding that the exercise (of bribing) was supervised by a senior police officer, who in fact used a government vehicle to move around.
“I found a Jubilee official being driven around in a police vehicle while dishing out money to voters. I asked the OCPD why he had surrendered his authority to a civilian and why the party official had not been arrested.
“I reported the incident to Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ben Kitili and to the county police commander,” Ms Karua said in a long testimony.
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She added that the headteacher of Mutithi Primary School was bribing voters at the polling centre and campaigning for Ms Waiguru.
“Bribery and other electoral malpractices happened in full view of police officers. Ms Waiguru’s supporter, Wambui Ngengi, was bribing voters at St Joseph’s School. Her car was impounded and later released,” she said.
Martha Karua appealed the petition in which she challenged the election of Anne Waiguru as Kirinyaga County governor, citing lack of impartiality in the previous judgement, which threw out her petition on grounds that it was a hopeless.
Ms Karua earlier wanted the ruling by Lady Justice Lucy Gitari of Kerugoya High Court early January set aside, saying the judge was biased in the matter and applied double standards.
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