Businesswoman Mary Wambui has been confirmed as the TNA parliamentary candidate for Othaya.
TNA Lawyer Ms Linda Milimu on Thursday told the electoral commission’s dispute resolution committee at the Milimani Law Court in Nairobi that Ms Wambui had been confirmed by the party as the legitimate bearer of the nomination certificate.
“We have agreed that Ms Wambui is the duly nominated candidate for Othaya,” said Ms Milimu.
The IEBC dispute resolution committee however asked the TNA lawyer and Ms Wambui’s lawyer to sign and file consent with it to that effect.
The fate of the case pitting Ms Wambui and Mr James Gichuki Mugambi will however be known when the committee rules on Saturday as Mr Mugambi had not filed a replying affidavit to enable him present his grievances before the tribunal.
The court directed him to file and serve the affidavit to all the parties before he appears before it on Friday.
Earlier on Thursday, the five-member committee chaired by Thomas Letangule was thrown into a state of confusion at around 3pm when Mr Nyaga, a lawyer for Mr Mugambi appeared and told the commission, “the aspirant has been issued with a nomination certificate by TNA just like Ms Munene.” Mr Nyaga appeared minutes before lawyers Cecil Miller for Ms Wambui and Ms Milimu presented a recorded consent to withdraw the complaint.
Mr Miller who is appearing jointly with Mr Peter Wena had told the commission that Mr Mugambi was quoted in the media on Wednesday as saying that he had been issued with a certificate.
“I told you that two certificates were issued by TNA. I want this matter resolved once and for all by this commission,” Mr Miller stated.
Before Mr Nyaga emerged, Ms Milimu had told the commission “Ms Munene is the validly nominated candidate for the Othaya seat.” Mr Letangule then asked them to record a consent.
The commission directed all the lawyers to file submissions as it fixed the case for hearing on Friday.
At the same time, former Human Rights Commission vice-chairman Hassan Omar and businessman Shabhal Suleiman, got the green light to vie for seats in Mombasa County on Wiper tickets after Evans Odhiambo Otieno and Mr John Munyasia Yuma, who had challenged their nominations withdrew their case.
However, Mr Letangule’s team will still rule on the case on Saturday.
