Friday, June 7th 2013, By Willis OketchMombasa, Kenya: A candidate who lost in the March 4 Mombasa gubernatorial race Thursday claimed that he spent Sh200 million to finance his campaign.
He said the amount was justified in order to bring change in the region after what he alleged was a long period of negligence.
Suleiman Shabaal
told a petition court Thursday in Mombasa that spending such an amount
in the campaign was worthwhile, as he wanted to bring change in the
county.He wants the election of governor Hassan Ali Joho overturned, claiming the poll was rigged.
Testifying before Justice Fred Ochieng’ in Mombasa, Shahbal said he committed that amount to his campaign to reverse bad governance, which he claimed had been experienced in the county for many years.
“I committed this money to reverse the bad governance which has been experienced in the county for many years,” said Shahbal who was the first witness in his own election petition. The businessman said he used the money to mobilise his supporters, procure campaign advertisement and other activities.
The witness who was being cross-examined by lawyer Sanjiv Kagram for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) admitted that he had no evidence to prove his claims that some of his ballot papers were given to his opponent.
Locked out
He further claimed that during the counting of votes his agents were locked out and that was why most of them did not sign forms 34 and 36 to confirm they had consented to the exercise.
Shahbal was cautioned several times by Justice Ochieng against arguing with Kagram and ordered to answer questions as asked.
The petitioner was put to task by the lawyer to prove to the court that some of those he claimed were his agents were linked to him yet their names did not appear in the list of agents in some polling stations.
Shahbal insisted that his agents were not liars after Kagram pointed out to him that those who swore affidavits as his agents were not among those who signed form 36 after the election was complete.
He claimed most of his agents did not sign the forms in question because they had been chased away by IEBC officials. Shahbal also insisted that statements he made that there were election irregularities during the last General Election were factual and not mere allegations.
He insisted he knew the poll was not going to be free and fair
on March 4 following a visit to several polling stations in Mvita
constituency.
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