Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana is facing trying times after the Malindi High Court combined two petitions filed against him to form one solid case.
Lady Justice Asenath Ongeri ordered the petitions, one filed by Mohamed Hatu, a resident, and the other by former governor Hussein Dado to be merged and heard as one.
Justice Ongeri instructed all parties to file any replies within three days before the pre-trial.
[caption caption="File Photo of Dhadho Godhana"]
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Hatu filed the first petition asking the court to nullify the election of Godhana claiming the incumbent did not qualify for the elective post as contemplated under section 22 of the Elections Act 2011 and Regulation 47 of elections.
He added that the governor holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Development Studies from Kimmage Development Studies Centre in Tanzania, an alleged affiliate of a University in Ireland, which is not recognised by the Commission for University Education (CUE) in Kenya.
Hatu also listed Tana River IEBC Returning Officer Mohamed Raka and IEBC as respondents, claiming the election was not conducted in accordance with the constitution.
Former Governor Dado, on the other hand, filed the second petition seeking the nullification of the governor’s election citing irregularities in the electoral process.
Dado who vied for the governorship seat on a Jubilee Party ticket, claims IEBC failed to include more than 5,000 votes from polling stations perceived to be his strongholds.
He added that the violence witnessed on August 9, 2017 at the Galole Tallying Center compromised the integrity of the process because some voting materials were left unattended.
The consolidated petition will be heard as from December 7.
[caption caption="Former Tana River Governor Hussein Dado"]
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