Poll Losers Gang up to Oust Sitting MCA
By The COAST Reporter
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
10 Mombasa MCA candidates in the just concluded August 09 elections have regrouped and moved to court to challenge the election of one Patrick Mwamvula Mbele of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as Bamburi Ward MCA.
In a Petition by Etole John Akaran on behalf of the others who lost the Bamburi seat, wants Mbele‘s election to be declared null and void to pave way for a fresh election in the ward citing massive rigging.
Etole also petitioned Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC as well as Kisauni Constituency Returning Officer Ibrahim Wario accusing them of aided to rig in Mbele.
Mombasa Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku directed the hearing of the petition to begin with a Pre-trial Conference this week on Friday.
In his Petition filed in Court under certificate of urgency, Etole claimed that Mbele with the aid of goons also meted violence at various polling stations in Bamburi ward including St Elizabeth Primary School thereby creating tension and scaring voters.
He further accused the Kisauni Constituency Returning Officer of having locked his agents out of the polling stations across the ward, from the time voting started in the morning of 9th August, 2022.
Etole through his lawyer George Igunza had earlier asked the Court to issue a conservatory order against swearing in of Mbele as MCA.
The senior city lawyer says they will also use a criminal case filed at Shanzu law courts, where the Kisauni Constituency Returning officer was arrested and charged with electoral malpractices during August general election.
On his part the petitioner, Etole John Akaran says that they will exhaust all avenues in quest of justice for Bamburi electorates who claim are solidly behind his petition.
His sentiments were echoed by former MCAs candidates, Juma Kapsa and Doris Dama Katana alingside others.
