Case Metadata

EFFECT OF THE HIGH COURT DECISION ON THE DELIMITATION OF ELECTORAL UNITS

Reported by Emma Kinya Mwobobia

This was a matter regarding the delimitation of electoral units under Article 89(11) of the Constitution where complaints had been earlier raised regarding the manner in which the 80 new constituencies and 1450 County Assembly wards had been created, their distribution, their names, boundaries and areas of allocation. The movement of sub locations hitherto falling in one constituency to one or more of the propose constituencies was also contested. In disposing of the matter, the court issued orders for the renaming of certain wards, the moving of some wards, locations and sub-locations into other constituencies, the moving of some locations into certain wards and for the amendment of the maps of the affected constituencies in the IIEBC final report.

The instant application therefore seeks orders to review the previous judgment in respect of constituencies so as to reflect the County Assembly wards to accord with the decision.

Issues

1. Whether the movement of the 6 sub locations from one constituency to another would have been contrary to the court’s previous decision which did not interfere with the sub locations?
2. What was the effect and consequence of the judgment that had been previously delivered by the High Court?

Constitutional Law - electoral and boundaries law – delimitation of electoral and administrative boundaries – petition seeking the movement of six sub locations from Nandi Hills constituency to Tinderet constituency – effect and consequence of the previous decision by the High Court – whether the movement of the six sub locations from one constituency to another would have been contrary to the intention of the previous decision by the High Court not to interfere with the sub locations.

Held:

1. To have allowed the application would have been tantamount to undertaking a fresh delimitation. That would have necessitated the re-ordering of other sub locations in neighboring County assembly wards to ensure that they complied with the constitutional threshold.

2. The effect of the previous judgment was to create a right that had now crystallized and taken effect and the nature of the instant application would have had a fundamental effect on the decision.

3. The court was mindful that the delimitation process was not only a legal process but a political one within which strict timelines had been set by the Constitution and the statutes governing the conduct of elections.

Petition dismissed.

ATHARI YA UAMUZI WA MAHAKAMA KUU KUHUSU UWEKAJI MIPAKA WA VITENGO VYA UCHAGUZI

Imeripotiwa na Emma Kinya Mwobobia

Hili lilikuwa suala linalohusu uwekaji mipaka wa vitengo vya uchaguzi kulingana na Kifungu cha 89(11) cha Katiba pale ambapo malalamishi yalikuwa yamezuiliwa hapo awali kuhusiana na suala ambalo maeneo bunge mapya 80 na wodi za Bunge la Kaunti 1450 zilikuwa zimeundwa, ugavi wao, majina yao, mipaka na maeneo ya ugavi. Kule kusongeshwa kwa lokesheni ndogo na kuzisababisha kuwa katika eneo bunge moja katika moja au zaidi ya yale maeneo bunge yaliyopendekezwa kuliweza pia kushindaniwa. Katika kuamua suala hili, mahakama ilitoa amri za kupatiwa majina upya kwa wodi fulani, kusogezwa kwa baadhi ya wodi, lokesheni na lokesheni-ndogo hadi katika maeneo bunge mengine, kule kusogeshwa kwa baadhi ya lokesheni hadi katika wodi fulani na marekebisho ya ramani ya maeneo bunge yaliyoathirika katika ripoti ya mwisho ya IEBC.

Ombi kuuhivyo basi katika kesi hii ni kutafuta kupata amri za kuhakiki uamuzi wa awali kwa mujibu wa maeneobunge ili kuweza kuonyesha wodi za Bunge la Kaunti ili kuuiana na uamuzi huo.

Masuala

1. Kujua kama kusogezwa kwa lokesheni ndogo 6 kutoka kwenye eneo bunge moja hadi jingine kungekuwa kinyume cha uamuzi wa awali wa mahakama ambao haukuhitilafiana na lokesheni ndogo?

2. Ni nini ilikuwa athari na matokeo ya uamuzi ambao ulikuwa umetolewa awali na Mahakama Kuu?

Uamuzi:

1. Kule kuruhusu ombi mbele ya mahakama kungesababisha kufanywa upya kwa uwekaji mipaka. Hali hiyo ingesababisha uwekaji mpya wa mipaka katika lokesheni ndogo nyingine katika ujirani wa wodi wa bunge la Kaunti ili kuhakikisha kwamba zilitii kile kiwango kilichowekwa cha kikatiba.

2. Athari ya uamuzi wa awali ilikuwa ni kuunda haki ambayo sasa ilikuwa imejijenga na imekita mizizi pamoja na hali ya lile ombi la papo hapo ambalo lingeleta katika athari muhimu kuhusu uamuzi huo.

3. Mahakama ilijali ule mchakato wa uwekaji mipaka na kujua kwamba haukuwa tu ni mchakato wa kisheria bali pia wa kisiasa ambao vipimo vya muda visivyobadilishwa vilikuwa vimewekwa na Katiba nazo sheria zinazotawala utendakazi huo wa uchaguzi pia kuwekwa.

Kesi imetupiliwa mbali.