The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has refuted claims that Senior Counsel James Orengo represented the poll body's returning officer Ruth Khulundu in a petition against Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, IEBC Communications Manager Andrew Limo stated that the IEBC had not contacted Orengo on the matter that was handled by Ogejo Olendo Advocates.
In a case filed by former Rarieda Constituency MP Nicholas Gumbo challenging the election of Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, it had been reported that Orengo dismissed the petition as one that had 'glaring errors.'
[caption caption="Senior Counsel James Orengo"]
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It is alleged that Orengo pointed out a number of mistakes in the document prepared by James Mandegu, submitted by Gumbo claiming whoever prepared it had plagiarized a previous petition.
He warned Gumbo of 'clear cut and paste' that had serious consequences.
"In this case, I think you ought to have engaged the services of a forensic expert, not just anybody.
"You risk committing plagiarism and you know the consequences that come with it," Orengo was quoted by the Star, noting the law is different from engineering (Gumbo's profession).
Gumbo's document highlighted irregularities Rasanga and IEBC officials allegedly committed before, during and after the August 8 elections.
The former Rarieda MP revealed that he did not need the services of a forensic expert and that any qualified person with knowledge of statistics can handle the matter.
"Statistics is statistics and variance is variance. Anybody who has done mathematics and statistics can see that.
"We need not seek the services of a forensic expert," he reiterated.
[caption caption="Nicholas Gumbo"]
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The politician was cross-examined before justice Esther Maina and sought orders for the votes to be recounted.
Before the election, Orengo backed Rasanga's governorship bid and accused Gumbo of being a Jubilee Party mole.
The case will continue on Friday with the cross-examination of witnesses.
