Evans Kidero takes Homa Bay gubernatorial battle to Court of Appeal
Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero has not given up his quest to become Homa Bay governor.
This is despite his nomination as a chief administrative secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry.
Despite being defeated by Governor Gladys Wanga by a margin of up to 90,000 votes, the former county chief is yet to give up his quest of leading the devolved unit.
Meanwhile, Dr Kidero has tried to hit two birds with one stone.
As his case was ongoing in Homa Bay, he made an application to the public service commission seeking a job as a state officer.
He has also shifted allegiance from supporting Azimio leader Raila Odinga to President William Ruto.
“The nominations have been transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by parliament in accordance with the Public Appointment (parliamentary approval) Act,” read a press statement.
At the same time, Dr Kidero is looking forward to becoming governor in Homa Bay.
He has shown intention of appealing the decision by the High Court which upheld the victory of Ms Wanga during a sitting on Tuesday last week by filing a notice to the Court of Appeal in Kisumu.
When he lost the Nairobi governor seat to Mike Sonko in 2017, Mr Kidero took a five years break before shifting his political base to Homa Bay.
He faced a tough campaign when he vied as an independent candidate against Ms Wanga who had an army of ODM candidates from MCAs to MPs supporting her.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission later declared Ms Wanga as the winner of the August 9 election with 244,559 votes.
Dr Kidero came in second with 154,182 votes.
But he said his victory was stolen.
After filing a petition at the High Court, Justice Roselyne Aburili said the former governor failed to prove that his victory was stolen.
“Court depends on what parties present before it. Cases are won or lost depending on what is presented before the judge,” Justice Aburili said.
This meant that Dr Kidero was supposed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he won the election but he was denied victory, which according to the judge was not done.
Dr Kidero said he still believes he won the election.
“Our legal team will review the full text of the Judgment and we’ll make known our next course of action. In the meantime we plead with the people of Homa Bay to remain calm,” he said.
One of his lawyers, Okweh Achiando said the notice of appeal is meant to tell judges at the court in Kisumu that they intend to challenge the high court’s decision.
According to law, the notice of appeal should be filed within 14 days after the day the High Court gave its verdict.
The team has another 30 days after showing intention to appeal to present papers from the High Court.
Judges of the appeal court have six months to hear and determine the cases.
Depending on the outcome, either parties can then proceed to the Supreme Court which has another six months to make their decision about the matter.
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