All eyes have shifted to the seven judges of the Supreme Court and Kenya’s top legal minds after Raila Odinga finally filed his petition challenging the August 9 presidential poll results.
Kenyans and the world will for the next 13 days be treated to the best legal arguments and the fiercest electoral battle as the apex court determines if William Ruto was validly elected.
According to the law, the Chief Justice Martha Koome-led Supreme Court bench has until September 5 to either withhold Ruto as President-Elect or invalidate his win declaration.
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Raila has described Ruto’s win a nullity and seeks to have it overturned at the apex court via his petition that accuses IEBC headed by Wafula Chebukati of committing electoral fraud.
Alongside the CJ at the Supreme Court are Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Justices William Ouko, Dr Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, Mohamed Ibrahim and Isaac Lenaola.
If the Supreme Court nullifies the presidential election it will order the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct a fresh election within 60 days.
The biggest legal and electoral battle yet pits Azimio’s Raila against UDA’s Ruto, IEBC and its chairman Wafula Chebukati with their legal teams set to face off at the Supreme Court.
Raila’s team of lawyers consists of senior counsels - Siaya Governor-Elect James Orengo, former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Phillip Murgor, Pheroze Nowrojee and former Attorney General Amos Wako.
Ruto’s team has President Uhuru Kenyatta’s former lawyers Fred Ngatia and Ahmednasir Abdullahi, who are both senior counsels, alongside Katwa Kigen and Prof Kithure Kindiki.
On its side, IEBC has hired former AG Prof Githu Muigai as its lead counsel in the petition together with lawyers Abdikadir Mohamed, Kamau Karori, Peter Wanyama, Eric Gumbo, George Murugu, Wambua Kilonzo, Edwin Mukele, Mahat Somane and Cyprian Wekesa.
