Two Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) returning officers have admitted to errors in the final results of the Kisii governorship race.
Speaking in court on Monday, Sidney Namulungu and Moses Daula, however, argued that the errors did not affect the final outcome.
The two were testifying in a petition filed by Kisii Jubilee Party Chief Agent Joel Makori challenging Governor James Ongwae’s election.
Daula stated that the errors occurred during the transposition of results from 141 polling centres.
Namulungu, on his part, disclosed that there was a replication of votes in Bobasi and Bomachoge Borabu constituencies.
[caption caption="Kisii Governor James Ongwae and Deputy Governor Joash Maangi "]
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He told Justice Hellen Omondi that candidates scored similar votes in some polling stations in the two constituencies.
"There were transposition errors in forms 37A but they did not affect the final outcome of the governor race," Namulungu stated.
In September, Makori filed a petition seeking the nullification of Ongwae’s win, citing massive irregularities.
He argued that the IEBC did not conduct the poll according to the law, and denied voters a right to choose a leader of their own choice.
Ongwae, who was vying on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, defeated his closest rival Chris Obure (Jubilee) after he garnered 206,110 votes against Obure’s 110,760 votes.
[caption caption="Former Kisii Senator Chris Obure"]
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