It was a sigh of relief for outspoken Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter
after the Court of Appeal sitting in Eldoret yesterday overturned the
High Court decision to nullify his August 8, 2017 victory as a member
of the National Assembly.

This was after Keter moved to Appeal Court following a decision on
March 1, by former Eldoret High Court Judge Kimondo Kanyi to declare
his election as MP null and void.

The Judge cited numerous electoral malpractices committed by Keter
that informed his decision to declare Keter’s victory invalid and
directed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to conduct
fresh election to enable the people of Nandi Hills to elect a leader
of their choice.

Court of Appeal Judges Erastus Githinji, Hannah Okwengu and Jamilah
Mohammed, in their ruling declared that Keter was validly elected as
Nandi Hills MP in the National Assembly.

“We find that most of the allegations leveled against Keter in regards
to the electoral malpractices of criminal nature were mere hearsay,”
ruled Justice Githinji.

Benard Kibor who contested against Keter as an Independent candidate
had moved to court where he successfully petitioned the High Court to nullify his August 8, 2017 win.

Hundreds of Keter’s supporters poured into Eldoret streets to
celebrate the Court of Appeal’s verdict forcing all business to come
to a standstill for two hours

A team of anti-riot police backed by administration and regular police
who had been deployed to secure the Court and town watched the
unfolding drama from a distance.

Addressing his enthusiastic supporters outside the court, Keter
thanked people and a section of the leaders in Rift Valley for
standing with him in his trying political moments.

“There was a scheme to ensure that I do not return to parliament
because I was a thorn in flesh in their dirty deal but God has stood
with me and ensured my victory is upheld,” said Keter.

Keter was accompanied by Moiben MP Sila Tiren and his Emur Dikir
counterpart Johana Ng’eno.