Lucy Gichuhi:"I am an Australian citizen and am eligible to serve"

Kenyan-born lawyer Lucy Gichuhi has been elected to fill the South Australia Senate seat vacancy, created after the High Court ruled Bob Day's election to the Senate was invalid.

Seneta wa Kusini Australia, Lucy Gichuhi Source: AAP

Mrs Gichuhi released a statement which said:

"The recount has confirmed that I, Lucy Gichuhi, have been elected to represent the state of South Australia in the Australian Senate".

The special recount was conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission in Adelaide on Thursday.

"I am honored and grateful for this opportunity to serve Australia. I see it as an opportunity to give back to this great nation". "I do not intend on commenting on the processes that have brought us to this point. As a lawyer, I am deeply respectful of both the legal and electoral processes," she said. "I am an Australian citizen and am eligible to serve. I will continue to take advice on all of these matters as we move forward.”

But the ALP is considering challenging her eligibility when the matter returns to the High Court next week to make a final determination on Mr Day's replacement.