Bernard Kitur has been given the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) party ticket to vie for Nandi Hills Member of Parliament in the forthcoming August 9 general elections.
This comes after the party nullified Alfred Keter victory in the Tuesday party primaries, citing malpractices.
“The tribunal nullified the nomination certificate issued to MP Keter and the board gave the way forward on the matter,” he told the publication.
In the results, Keter had garnered 10,363 votes while Kitur got 7,468 votes.
In his petition, Kitur raised a number of issues detailing how the nomination exercise was marred by irregularities.
“The nomination was marred by irregularities and illegalities which negatively impacted the outcome of the entire nomination process; that there was widespread violence during the nominations; that the entire nomination was a sham,” Kitur told the party’s elections dispute tribunal.
According to the ruling of the Committee members Collins Kiprono, Mary Mungai and Adrian Kamotho Njenga, Kitur’s appeal had validity.
“We have considered the various submissions made by parties and the evidence before us. We are convinced beyond doubt that the allegations substantially affected the results and impeached the integrity of the outcome,” they said.
The party then handed Kitur a provisional nomination certificate while the tribunal ordered the party’s elections body to take “appropriate” disciplinary measures against Keter, who is now accused of voter bribery, intimidation, and harassment of nominees.
The incumbent Nandi Hills MP Keter will now defend his seat as an independent candidate.
For long, Keter was regarded as Deputy President William Ruto’s fiercest critic in Rift Valley.
