A returning officer who presided over parliamentary elections in South Mugirango on Friday told the High Court in Kisii that he never applied for the position.

Testifying in a petition challenging the election of Trade assistant minister Omingo Magara as area MP, Mr Joseph Omambia Sang’anyi told the court, presided over by Justice Daniel Musinga, that he did not apply for the post because he considered himself not qualified.

Revelations

Mr Sang’anyi said he was called to the Electoral Commission of Kenya head office, where he was given the job to preside over the Mugirango polls.

The officer made the revelations during cross-examination by Mr Ombati Omwanza, representing the petitioner, Mr Manson Oyongo Nyamweya.

He also disclosed that temporary election officials who participated in the polls were not subjected to any interviews. They were handpicked by the panel on the basis of their qualifications and experience in poll matters, he added.

Mr Sang’anyi alleged Gucha district elections coordinator Astalico Atika seconded some officials to assist in the tallying because the commission was unable to interview the more than 3,000 people who had applied for the clerical jobs.

Tallying clerk

He denied he was known to Ms Janet Bonareri, who was hired as a tallying clerk. He said was not sure whether she took or signed her oath of secrecy.

When asked by Mr Omwanza whether he was aware that Mr Magara’s relatives were employed to conduct the elections, Mr Omambia said he did not know.

Since he hailed from a different constituency, he said, he was not in a position to know who exactly were relatives.

Cross-examination continues.