The scrutiny of disputed votes cast in the governor contest in Homa Bay has been concluded.

Justice Roselyn Aburili had ordered the scrutiny in an election petition filed by the former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero who is challenging the victory of Governor Gladys Wanga. The scrutiny and recount was overseen by Homa Bay High Court Deputy Registrar Joy Wesonga.

The petition is scheduled for mention on January 10, with lawyers for both parties preparing their final submissions.

After the conclusion of the exercise, Wesonga is expected to write her report and hand it over to the court.

Kidero and Wanga’s legal teams will then use the report in filing the final submissions.

Through his lawyer Okweh Ochiando, Kidero (pictured) told the court that Wanga collaborated with election officials to interfere with election results.

Wanga was declared the winner with 254,559 votes against Kidero’s 154,182.

In his petition, Kidero also claimed that the election was marred by violence and intimidation. He also alleged voter bribery.

Wanga in her defence argued that ODM- a political party on whose ticket she vied, was the dominant party and the most popular in Homa Bay county.

In the petition, the returning officer Fredrick Apopa, the electoral body IEBC and Wanga are listed as the first, second and third respondents.

Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga and ODM party were listed as the fourth and fifth respondents respectively.

Kidero told the court that the respondents collaborated and ensured they subverted the will of the people.

Justice Aburili ordered a recount of votes from195 polling stations across the county, which involved checking of security features of each ballot paper. The papers had their serial number checked against a counterfoil.

Stamps on the papers as well as signatures and other relevant information on ballot materials were also scrutinised.

Delays marred the scrutiny and recount exercise as some ballot boxes could not be traced because they did not have forms 37A attached to them.

Kidero’s lawyer Ochiando said some ballot boxes had their forms missing making it difficult to isolate them.

He added that polling station diaries that were used to trace information filled in were incorrect hence caused the delay.