Farah Maalim fails to unseat Aden Duale in Garissa Township

NAIROBI, Kenya - The High Court has upheld August 8, 2017, election victory of Garissa Township MP Aden Duale.

Justice Hedwig Ongundi on Tuesday dismissed bribery claims by the petitioner, former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim.

BRIBERY

In his judgment, judge Ong’udi said Mr. Duale was validly elected and claims by Mr. Maalim that some voters were denied a chance to cast their votes were not true.

He dismissed Mr. Maalim's claim that Mr. Duale influenced the recruitment of presiding officers and other poll officials.

Garissa Township is the constituency in the northern part of Kenya with the largest number of registered voters, at 54,000.

Mr. Maalim challenged Mr. Duale’s win, stating that there were massive irregularities in the outcome.

He has also claimed that voters were bribed although he could not state where it occurred and when.

DEFENCE

"I didn't see the bribery literary or anyone being bribed but I saw a crowd negotiating," he had told the court during the hearing of the case.

Mr. Duale had defended his win, stating that all the results announced and declared at all polling stations in Garissa Township were correct and lawful.

He added that the results were a true reflection of the will of voters in the said constituency.

Mr. Duale has also denied Mr. Maalim's claim that he used public officers to compel voters to vote for him.

He poked holes in his rival's case, arguing that Mr. Maalim failed to table evidence to back his allegations.