Bungoma High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa’s election in last year’s August polls. Suleiman Murunga had filed the petition and was ordered by the court to pay Kshs 6 million in costs. Upholding the victory can be seen as a landmark for Jubilee party who have set their influence in the region after tough campaigns last year from both Jubilee and NASA.
The region was widely considered the opposition’s backyard, and the win by Didmus Barasa stood out among other victories, given that the party won 8 parliamentary seats out of 33 in Western. In Kakamega, Jubilee scooped four parliamentary seats, ANC five, ODM with two and Ford Kenya one. In Bungoma, Jubuilee scooped the Mt Elgon seat, Kimilili, Webuye West and Sirisia in last year’s polls, while Ford Kenya led by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula, won in Kanduyi, Kabuchai, and Tongaren. ANC scooped the Webuye East seat. In Busia, five parliamentary seats were scooped by ODM, while ANC took Nambale and Teso North.