The High Court has ordered a recount of Kajiado’s gubernatorial votes in 16 polling stations across the county.
In a judgement delivered in Nairobi in an election petition case filed against governor Joseph Lenku’s victory, Justice J N Mulwa ordered a recount of the votes cast, as well as packets of counterfoils of use ballot papers.
In addition, in respect of 16 polling stations, Justice Mulwa ordered the scrutiny and recount of rejected ballot papers, polling station diaries, KIEMS kit logs, and the declaration of the original results’ Forms 37 A in the ballot boxes.
The polling stations are; the Ongata Rongai Open Air Market station 2 of 26, Ongata Academy polling station 8 of 13, Bulbul Primary School polling station 1 of 13, Kajiado Township Primary polling station 7 of 8, Kajiado Township Primary polling station 8 of 8, Multi-Purpose Training Centre polling station 5 of 9, Nookopir Secondary School polling station 7 of 19, Ewuaso Primary School polling station 2 of 3 and Ewuaso Primary School polling station 3 of 3.
Others are Olmapinu Primary School polling station 1 of 1, Ongata Rongai Open Market Polling Station 14 of 26, and Ongata Market Poliing station 20 of 26.
The votes from Athi River Prisons Primary School, Isinet Primary School, and Emakoko Primary School will also be scrutinised by the high court.
According to Justice Mulwa, the results in Form 37B and 37C for Kajiado West and Kajiado South constituencies will be re-tallied.
“For purposes of enabling the orders I have given, the 1st and 2nd respondents shall avail to the deputy registrar of the election petition court the requisite election materials, including all the original or duly certified copies of Forms 37A, 37* and Form 37C,” said the judge.
Mulwa stated that the deputy registrar of the election court will oversee the exercise and then compile and file a report on the results.
Mulwa stated that the report will be served on all counsel for the parties, who will be free to make oral comments and highlights on a date set by the court.
The judge stated that the application costs would be determined by the outcome of the petition.
The former immediate Kajiado MP Katoo ole Metito had filed the petition against Lenku’s victory but later withdrew after being appointed State House Comptroller.
Other interested parties have taken up the case and will see it through to its conclusion.
