Likuyani parliamentary aspirant, Dr. Evans Nabwera Taracha has appealed to his supporters to remain calm as he challenges the parliamentary seat result announced by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in the just concluded General Election.
Speaking to the press, Taracha who vied on Amani NationalCongress (ANC) ticket confirmed he had filed a petition after Dr. Enoch Wamalwa Kibunguchy was declared the winner of the highly contested Likuyani seat.
According to official results released by Constituency Returning Officer, Mr. Enoch Otara at Nangili Girls Secondary school on 10th August, Kibunguchy emerged victorious with 15,810 votes against Taracha’s 14,901.
However, Taracha immediately disputed the results, claiming the tallying process was riddled with election malpractices. The former Chief Researcher at the Kenya National Museums of Kenya, disclosed to journalists he had sufficient evidence implicating the electoral agency of election malpractice.
He claimed the commission was bribed before it added extra votes to his main challenger. According to Taracha he garnered a total of 15, 333 votes against Kibunguchy’s 15, 316, thus he should be declared the winner.
“I understand my supporters in Likuyani are bitter after our victory was snatched by some selfish officials at the electoral body,” noted Taracha, urging them against engaging in any form of violent activities.
However, speaking to West Media separately, Kibunguchy denied Taracha’s allegations, insisting he was duly re-elected and was ready to continue serving the people of Likuyani.
“My opponent has the constitutional right to go to the courts,” observed Kibunguchy. Like his rival, the Ford Kenya (FK) legislator appealed to his supporters to remain calm as they wait for the Court’s verdict. “I am sure l would still be declared the winner in if the court directs a vote recount,” said Kibunguchy.
