A three-judge bench has dismissed a petition challenging Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo’s eligibility to remain in office over claims that he abandoned the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the party under which he won the 2022 General Election.
Justices Jairus Ngaah, Lawrence Mugambi, and John Chigiti ruled that petitioners Guyo Ali Guracha, Mohamed Wario Jattani, Teddy M. Muturi, and Steven Kihonge Ndung’u did not provide sufficient evidence to show that Governor Guyo and his deputy, John Lowasa, formally left UDA for the Jubilee Party.
In delivering their verdict, the judges highlighted that the petitioners failed to present any formal communication of defection to UDA, Jubilee, or the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“No evidence was tendered to show formal communication of defection,” the ruling stated.
The court further noted that the petitioners did not submit any letters or documents confirming the alleged defection, which was claimed to have occurred on June 2, 2023.
As a result, the bench concluded that both the governor and his deputy are lawfully in office and have the right to complete their term.
The judges also pointed out that political party alliances and shifts have long been part of Kenya’s political culture, dating back to the reintroduction of multi-party politics in 1992.
They observed that such movements do not automatically translate to loss of office without proper documentation and notification.
