The Supreme Court, on Friday, overturned the decision of the High Court and the Court of Appeal to nullify the election of Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi Mahamud.
The County head had moved to Supreme Court seeking a ruling regarding his election over allegations that he did not possess the prerequisite academic qualifications.
The ruling was the outcome of a split vote with four judges ruling in the governor's favour while two dissented.
In the majority were, Justice Mohamed Ibrahim, JB Ojwang’, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u while CJ Maraga and Justice Lenaola dissented.
Reading the minority ruling, Chief Justice David Maraga stated that a degree was required for one to be eligible to run for election.
"The degree is a prerequisite for election as a governor and a deputy governor. The appellant did not possess the required documents, his election is therefore null and void," the CJ pronounced.
Speaking to journalists outside the Supreme Court, Mohamed expressed his gratitude to his team.
"I would like to thank my lawyers as well. Time for politics is over, it is time to work together. There will be no discrimination as Wajir is for all its people," he stated.
At the Supreme Court, Mahamud was allowed to table his academic certificates, noting that he was not given a fair hearing at both the trial and the appellate court with regard to his academic qualifications.
He has informed the judges that he was admitted to the institution in 2009 and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and management studies. In a graduation list issued in court, the governor also claims that he graduated with a masters degree in 2012.
