By RICHARD MUNGUTI rmunguti@nationmedia.comPosted Tuesday, February 22 2011 at 21:00
In Summary
- Gatundu North lawmaker allegedly issued handouts to residents ahead of poll
Gatundu North voters were given cash handouts and blankets ahead of the 2007 polls, an election court was told on Tuesday.
A farmer said MP Clement Waibara issued the handouts at a chief’s camp in the constituency.
Ms Waithera Gicheha testified that the MP gave her Sh1,000 to share with four others at Gituamba chief’s camp.
Ms Gicheha also told Mr Justice Fred Ochieng that there was a large group of people at the camp.
“I was going home from a wedding when I was told a man was giving blankets to old people at the Gituamba Chief’s Camp. I met old women carrying blankets from the camp,” she told the judge.
She went inside the camp and met the man giving out blankets and money.
“He told us to form groups of five. He gave me Sh1,000 to share with four others in my group,” Ms Gicheha said, adding that the man asked them to vote for him during the polls.
“He promised that we would get grade cows after the elections,” said the witness.
Cross-examined by lawyer Ben Mukuria for the returning officer and the Interim Independent Electoral Commission, Ms Gicheha said she did not vote for Mr Waibara despite receiving money from him.
“I was supporting President Kibaki for the top seat and Mr Kigo Njenga for Parliament. I did not vote for Mr Waibara,” Ms Gicheha testified.
Volunteered to testify
The witness identified the MP as the one who was giving out money and blankets on November 17, 2007, in response to Mr Evans Ondieki, for Mr Waibara.
She said she met the petitioner, Mr Bernard Chege, at Gituamba where they discussed the polls and volunteered to testify.
Meanwhile, the judge has summoned a witness who testified that he sat proficiency tests for Mr Waibara.
Mr Justice Ochieng allowed an application by Mr Waibara that he needed to further cross-examine Mr Martin Kahuria.
“The witness lied on oath. His testimony is, therefore, not admissible,” said Mr Ondieki.
The hearing continues on Wednesday.
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