Court nullifies Bondo’s victory as West Kasipul MCA, orders fresh polls
The Oyugis Magistrate Court in Homa Bay County has invalidated the victory of Vickins Bondo, the Member of the County Assembly for West Kasipul.
This follows a challenge that ODM candidate Peter Okeyo Ongili filed on August 30, 2022, challenging Bondo’s election as an independent candidate. Ongili alleged that there were irregularities in the election.
Following the election, the IEBC pronounced Bondo the victor with 4,041 votes, ahead of ODM candidate Ongili, who garnered 3,975.
In his decision, the presiding senior principal magistrate, Benard Omwansa, stated that the court was unable to vouch for Bondo’s election as the MCA and the election’s efficiency, accuracy, and transparency. He also brought up the fact that 78 ballots were missing but had been utilized throughout the election.
Even if the differences seemed insignificant, the magistrate pointed out that they might have had a big impact on the close race.
Additionally, he said that when the burden of proof changed, the IEBC did not address the minor differences.
The court, therefore, invalidated Bondo’s assertion of being an MCA and revoked his certificate.
IEBC will now be required to hold new elections in accordance with the law, per the court’s order.