Former Cabinet minister Ochillo Ayako has today confirmed to have withdrawn his petition challenging Migori Governor’s Okoth Obado’s victory in the just concluded August 2017 election.
The former gubernatorial candidate has confirmed that through his lawyers he has written to Obado’s lawyers notifying them of the withdrawal of the case which is currently at the Court of Appeal.
Mr. Ochilo’s move is due to respect for opposition leader Raila Odinga who is said to have intervened during the legal battle.
“I have decided to withdraw the petition. My lawyers have already sent a letter to Mr Obado’s lawyers communicating my intention. The same letter has been copied to the Court of Appeal,” said Mr Ochillo.
Hon.Raila Odinga reconciled the two leaders during the burial of the late Migori Senator Ben Oluoch.They were encouraged to embrace the power of a handshake.
“I decided to do this in respect to right honourable Raila Odinga, who had appealed to us to bury our hatchet,” Mr Ochillo said.
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With Migori Senate by-election coming, Mr Ayacko has been tiped to be the main candidate for the position. The by-election has been set by IEBC on October 8th 2018.
Migori senator position fell vacant after the demise of Mr. Ben Oluoch following a battle with throat cancer.
The seat has however attracted many candidates and being in Nyanza, ODM party has the numbers to clinch it.
So far the ticket has attracted many candidates including former speaker Gordon Oluoch, Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers Migori secretary Samwel Orwa Jasolo, businessman Eddy Oketch, former Suna East MP John Dache Pessa and high school teacher Kennedy Makasembo.