NAIROBI, Aug 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Parties seeking legal redress regarding the presidential results declared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati have until Monday, Aug 23 to file petitions at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has set up the ceremonial hall at Milimani Law Court for this purpose.
The Supreme Court has already set preparations to receive, hear and deliver a ruling in the event of a presidential petition.
Legal experts say the filing of the petition will then trigger a number of activities, before the case is heard.
The constitution empowers the highest court in the land to either validate or invalidate the declaration of William Ruto as President elect depending on how both the petitioners and the respondents will argue their cases and the evidence that they will have tabled.
One scenario is an outcome that could agree with the petitioners with the other being an outcome that could validate the election of Ruto as president.
And with there being seven judges on the bench, legal experts underscore the fact that each of judges is expected to give their independent rulings.
The other question is if Ruto’s win is invalidated what would the fresh election entail?
This will not be the first time in Kenya’s history that a presidential election is contested in court and outcome determined before a president elect is sworn in.
In 2017 the Supreme Court invalidated President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election and ordered for a fresh vote. — NNN-AGENCIES
