www.Kisii.Com: Syndicated news from only reputable sources [Nation, and Standard Newspapers, Kenya Times, KBC, etc.]

Kitutu Masaba MP appears in court to defend his seat

  • Print
Details
Published on Tuesday, 24 May 2011 19:41

Kitutu Masaba MP Walter Nyambati yesterday denied allegations that he dished out  bribes during the 2007 elections. Petitioner Justus Omiti and other witnesses told court that Nyambati visited various polling stations and bribed voters to elect him.

Nyambati denied visiting Morako, Nyaisa, Nyamakoroto and Mokwerero polling stations where he allegedly campaigned during the voting day. The case was being presided over by Judge Milton Makhandia.

In his affidavit, the MP distanced himself from accusations that he threatened and planned an arson attack on Omiti brother’s house in Kitutu Masaba.
During cross-examination by his lawyer Osoro Mogikoyo, Nyambati said he was a lawmaker and he could possibly not plan any attacks in his constituency.  “I am a lawmaker and I cannot be the same person to break the law. The allegations were shocking to me. The petitioner never reported the arson threats to the chief or the police for investigations,” he said.

Nyambati told court he was not related to Johnson Moriasi Nyandieka, an official of the defunct ECK, as earlier claimed. On claims by the petitioner that RO Lawrence ole Sempele was posted to the constituency to rig in Nyambati, it emerged that the defuct ECK effected 96 changes countrywide and Kitutu Masaba was one of them.

During cross examination, Fred Orora for IIEC showed a gazette notice from the commission showing that Sempele was initially posted to Baringo Central but was swapped with George Paul Ogwoko. Nyambati said that Sempele declared him winner in the 2007 election after garnering 8,150 votes against his 32 opponents.

When asked by the petitioner Justus Omiti’s lawyer Otiende Amollo to state the time he was declared winner, Nyambati said he was declared between 11pm and 12.30 of December 28 or 29 2007. And when asked whether he had in court a certificate to show that he was winner, the MP said he had a parliamentary ID card and that the Kenya Gazette produced in court by Orora had name.By the time we went to press, Nyambati was still being cross examined by Amolloa.