Machakos County Governor Alfred Mutua on Saturday offered an olive branch to political rival and former Kathiani Member of Parliament Wavinya Ndeti.
This comes after the Supreme Court on Friday upheld Mutua’s victory in last year’s election where Ms. Ndeti was his main competitor on a Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya (WDM-K) party ticket.
Speaking at Machakos town Bus Park during a meet-and-greet with residents, the Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader asked Ms. Ndeti to join him in executing his development agenda.
The county chief added that his doors were open even to his political rivals, further stating that the time for politicking was over.
He further stated that development was required to recover lost time as a result of the contest on his election which dragged on for one and a half years.
In the ruling delivered on Friday, the Judges dismissed a petition by Ms. Ndeti and declared that Governor Mutua was validly elected in the August 2017 poll.
The ruling followed an appeal filed by Governor Mutua challenging a decision by the Court of Appeal that nullified his election.
The appellate court had previously ruled that election results declared by the returning officer failed the Constitutional test and could not be verified.
The judge further directed that fresh elections be conducted and the certificate issued to Mutua be set aside.
Ms. Ndeti first moved to court on September 5 last year to challenge Mutua’s win in the August 8 election.
The ex-legislator claimed the election was marred with election irregularities and illegalities, further citing voter bribery and issuance of more than one ballot paper to voters.