Maraga issues directions on petitions filed against Uhuru’s October win

Chief Justice David Maraga has released directions for the filing of responses to the petitions challenging the October 26 presidential election.

Unlike in the August 8 presidential election petition that was filed by NASA leader Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka, this time round Maraga is expected to lead a seven-judge bench in hearing three petitions that have to be determined by November 20.

On the petition filed by former Kilome MP Harun Mwau challenging the validity of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election on October 26, Justice Maraga directed all respondents in the case to file their responses together with their submissions by 5 pm on Sunday, November 12.

In the petition filed by activists Njonjo Mue and Khelef Khalifa, the CJ also ordered that all the respondents, who include the IEBC, IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati, President Uhuru Kenyatta and the NASA opposition coalition to file a response with their submissions by 5 pm on Sunday, November 12.

Unlike Mr. Mwau who has already served his written submissions, Njonjo and Khalifa are yet to serve, with the CJ directing them to do so by 5 pm on Monday, November 13.

Also in the third petition filed by the Institute for Democratic Governance, Maraga wants Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, James Orengo and Moses Wetangula to file and serve their responses, with written submissions, by 5 pm Sunday, November 12.

The Institute for Democratic Governance wants the NASA leaders punished for the chaos that led to loss and destruction of property during the October 26 election period.

Maraga has also ordered the lobby group to work on their submissions and present to the court by 5 pm on Monday, November 13.

All submissions on the petition and the responses shall be to limited to 30 pages of at least font 12 double spacing.

Further, parties seeking to join any of the petitions as amicus curiae, friend of the court, should file their applications by 5 pm on Monday, November 13.