61 election petitions still pending in courts

Sixty-one petitions originating from last year’s General Election are still pending before the Judiciary, nearly a year since the polls were held.

On Wednesday, the Judiciary disclosed that of the 61 petitions, 11 of them are pending at the Supreme Court.

Out of the 105 cases that were filed at the Court of Appeal, only 23 are yet to be heard and determined.

At the High Court, 93 cases originating from magistrate courts were filed, with 27 of them yet to be finalised.

Among the appeals lying at the Supreme Court is the case in which the Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua is challenging the High Court decision that nullified his election.

Other petitions at the Supreme Court are those of Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi, Homa Bay governor Cyprian Awiti as well as constituency elections for Embakasi East and Embakasi South constituencies.

There is only one senatorial election petition at the Supreme Court, that of Malindi County.

“As at 27th July 2018, there are 11 appeals filed at the Supreme Court, 105 appeals filed at the court of appeal and 93 appeals filed at the High court,” reads a report from the Judiciary.

After the 2017 elections, a total of 388 petitions were filed at the high court and were finalized as at March 6 this year.