Former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo was this afternoon put to task in Court to explain his nickname “Otada” he used as a slogan during the campaigns and elections.
Midiwo who goes by the nickname “Otada” told the court he had picked the moniker from an old man in Gem constituency who was very generous and was dedicated, second to the late Chief Odera Akango.
“Otada the old man was very strict and honest. Otada is also a beautiful Ugandan bird, which is usually successful because it takes care of other birds, ” added Midiwo.
“Otada” in Luo can also be construed to mean a hard-headed person or one who uses an iron fist.
Midiwo who is challenging the election of sitting MP Elisha Odhiambo claimed voters were being influenced and bribed to vote for six-piece during the 8th August election.
The former Chief-Whip who is petitioning IEBC argued that cases of people walking to the polling stations and requesting voters to vote on six piece were high.
“It is funny because in the ballot paper there was no candidate called six piece. This election was also marred with intimidation and violence,” he told the court.
Midiwo who fell out with ODM faulted the Electoral commission claiming they did not invite him to take part in the selection of the constituency returning officer.
He told the court that they had raised complaints alongside other candidates of Gem constituency about the relationship of returning officer and the sitting MP Elisha Odhiambo.
“It was inappropriate for the returning officer and the candidates to meet. One of the candidates who is also my witness in this case wrote to the County returning officer Ruth Kulundu and the electoral commission in Nairobi. The returning officer was also doing business with the County government of Siaya and I raised the same concerns to the County returning officer, ” added Midiwo.
Midiwo wants a recount of votes, wants to be declared winner and court to pronounce August elections of Gem constituency null and void.
His lawyer Jared Sala told the court that they only received a summary of biometric data and no single results from the entire constituency.
“We were served by a huge volume of Data by the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission lawyers, although it was information from only 98 polling stations,” Mr Sala told the court.
But the IEBC lawyer Richard Malena argued that some information from the KIEMs kit cannot be printed because it is only read.
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