Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua on Friday attempted to evade journalists by sneaking through the back door following a Court of Appeal judgment that nullified his August 2017 election win.
Relentless journalists pursued Dr Mutua after they caught wind of his intention to board his car at the back exit of the Judiciary building and met him just as he was leaving the building.
He later agreed to give a statement to the reporters if they would meet him at the entrance of the building that houses the Supreme Court.
"We respect the judgement and the Court of Appeal. I'm very surprised by their findings because it is very clear that they misunderstood what was presented to them, there are issues and facts that they appear to have contradicted themselves but we are not worried.
[caption caption="Governor Alfred Mutua speaks to journalists after Court of Appeal nullified his win courtesy KTN News"]
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"We are going to appeal to the Supreme Court and as a result of our intention to appeal then there's a stay on the orders of the Court of Appeal, therefore, I continue to exercise the powers of my office," Dr Mutua explained.
The governor went on to insist that the ruling would not affect his plan to vie for the presidency in 2022 and assured those who voted for him that the Supreme Court would uphold his election.
"I want to assure my people that we will remain in office because nobody did anything wrong, this is part of the process and it is part of the process that takes us to a higher place.
"As you know I intend to be on the ballot in 2022 and by the will of God and the people, I know I will become the fifth president of Kenya so this is just part of the process that lifts you up to higher offices and higher service to the people," he insisted.
Dr Mutua's lawyer, Wilfred Nyamu further explained that the three-judge bench had neglected critical tenets of the law in making their ruling.
"The judges have misconstrued even the analysis of the law as it is supposed to be applied in that, they have not considered the principle of the little man in the booth...they never considered the validity of the results.
"The judges exonerated the governor from blame for the alleged involvement of county officers as agents, they also stated that the burden shifted, which is wrong. The petitioners never proved that the said Albanas was indeed the same Albanas who works at the county government," the lawyer stated.
[caption caption="File image of Wavinya Ndeti and Governor Mutua during an election petition hearing"]
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