Win for Wajir North MP Ibrahim Saney as court dismisses petition challenging his election

Delivering the ruling on Monday, Justice Reuben Nyakundi said the petitioner Ibrahim Ahmed who lost in the election did not provide sufficient evidence to warrant the nullification of the election.

The court ruled that the Wajir North parliamentary election was conducted in substantial compliance of the law and therefore Saney was validly elected.

“With regard to the given complexity and challenges experienced on August 9, 2022, by the constituency of Wajir North it’s clear that the election in question was substantially conducted in accordance with the law save for the last minute phase,” he said.

The court further ruled: “Despite the formation act of omission and commission I rule that the election of Wajir North was conducted in substantial compliance and I find no reason to invalidate the win by Saney.”

MP Ibrahim Saney welcomed the court ruling stating that it was a win for the people of Wajir North. He pointed out that he had been through a "disturbing and expensive litigation process" but it was now time to move on.

"In Kenya and Africa at large, elections are very gruesome and expensive. Immediately I won I was taken through a disturbing, expensive litigation process. Forturnately, this morning we are delivered out of it. We must keep going and deliver what we have promised to the people of Wajir North," said Saney.

He added: "This afternoon, I'm renewed and energized to hit the ground and make sure I deliver on what I have promised the people of Wajir North. It is for the entire Wajir North not clan-based. I was elected across the clan configuration, so there is no doubt this is a win for the entire Wair North."

The court awarded Saney and IEBC costs to be paid by the petitioner Ahmed.