Mohammed Ali survives appeal, retains Nyali MP seat

The Court of Appeal has ruled that Nyali MP Mohammed Ali was validly elected saying that the voter who filed the petition failed to prove his case.

A Nyali constituency voter, Daniel Onyango Abwao, had moved to the Appellate Court seeking to nullify the election of Mohammed Ali as the area MP.

Mr. Abwao accused Ali of using opposition leader Raila Odinga’s image in his campaign posters despite being an independent candidate.

“He used ODM party colours and yet he was not ODM parliamentary candidate. He used the photograph of ODM presidential candidate which made him ride on ODM’s popularity,” Abwao through his lawyer, told the judges.

This is the second time Ali, the former journalist has won an election petition with the first having being in February when the High Court found that the petition contesting his win failed for a lack of evidence.

Speaking in Mombasa moments after the Court of Appeal ruled that he was validly elected, Ali urged leaders to concentrate on development instead of politicking and court battles.

“I urge all leaders to concentrate on development issues, time for politics is over. Courts are taking a lot of time that could be used to improve the lives of our people,” said the Nyali MP.

“This is the ideal time for us to unite and work for the people of Nyali and those of the coast region at large.”