By Felix Agunda In Busia
The High Court seating in Busia yesterday dismissed an election petition filed by former Nambale MP John Sakwa Bunyasi challenging Dr Paul Otuoma’s win as Busia governor. Judge David Kenei ruled that the petitioner, John Sakwa Bunyasi who was Otuoma’s main challenger in the 2022 Governorship elections failed to prove his case that the polls were marred with massive irregularities thus denying him the win.
In his ruling, Justice directed Mr Bunyasi to pay a cost of Ksh. 3 million. “There is no dispute that the matter before us has taken both parties time, energy and resources. This petition had public interest element in it and hence the cost should not be excessive thus capped at Ksh. 3million,” said the Judge.
The money will be shared among the respondents; County Returning Officer (First Respondent), the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC, second respondent) and Dr Otuoma (Third respondent and his deputy Arthur Odera (Fourth respondent). An elated Dr Otuoma said justice had finally prevailed and the ruling paves way for his administration to deliver on his pre-election pledges.
“We are now more than ready to deliver on our mandate. We will work closely with your Ward Representatives to ensure development reach every corner of the county,” said Otuoma at Busia Taxi Park just minutes after the ruling.
Bunyasi declared he accepts the ruling but categorically stated he doesn’t agree with it. “We will follow due process and subsequent cause of action after consulting with my legal team. I laud the media for giving the petition the coverage it deserves,” he said. The former lawmaker filed the petition on September 9, 2022, over what he termed as election irregularities.
Dr Otuoma under the ODM ticket was declared the winner of the poll with 164,478 votes against Bunyasi’s (ANC) 92,144 votes. Later in the day, the governor headed to Our Lady Of The Assumption Catholic Parish in Mundika for a thanksgiving mass.
