New twist as Mutula Jnr’s rivals threaten court action

Nairobi. Just a day after he was cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to vie in Friday’s Makueni Senate by-election, Wiper Party’s new candidate Mutula Kilonzo Jnr is facing a legal battle challenging his candidature.

An official of one of the parties in the Jubilee coalition led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto said plans were at an advanced stage to take the battle back to the courts today.

“There is something to that effect. Let’s wait for Monday (today) and see how matters shape up,” the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

Mr Kilonzo Junior’s opponents argue that the three-judge bench that allowed Wiper a chance to name a new candidate erred in law because the deadline for the nomination of candidates had lapsed.

The Cord candidate yesterday expressed confidence that he would benefit from the prevailing goodwill in Makueni to clinch the seat despite the short campaign period.

“Five days is a lifetime in politics. I will do what I can. The goodwill is overwhelming,” he said.

“My sister has been on the campaign trail. This is only a change of candidate and not the overall campaign.”

He revealed that he was not pushed to run for the seat after the persuasion by Cord leaders led by former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Senators Johnstone Muthama (Machakos), James Orengo (Siaya) and Mr David Musila (Kitui).

“It was my family that made the final call. I was not pushed,” he said.

“It is not the right time to comment on the said petition. But the best way is to file an appeal against the High Court decision. I welcome it, though.”