Petitioners have 7 days to challenge Uhurus victory

Kenyans who believe they have grounds to challenge President Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory in the October 26 repeat election can now move to court.

This comes after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gazetted Mr. Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto as President and Deputy President-elect.

In the gazette notice dated October 30, (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati stated; “In exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 88 (4), 136, 138 (4) and 10,140 (3) and 148 (3) of the constitution, the chairperson of the commission declares that Uhuru Kenyatta and William Samoei Ruto have been duly elected as President and Deputy President elect.”

Article 140 of the constitution states that “A person may file a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the election of the President-elect within seven days after the date of the declaration of the results of the presidential election.”

President Kenyatta was  declared winner of Thursday’s repeat poll after garnering 7.4 million votes representing 98% of the total votes cast.

In his acceptance speech on Monday shortly after being declared winner President Kenyatta urged NASA to move to court to seek redress.

“Let them (opposition) first exhaust the constitutionally laid out processes, let them go to court, let them do whatever they want. Nobody shall deny them of their constitutional right. As to my agenda going forward, I will discuss once the processes (legal battles) are over,” said Kenyatta at Bomas of Kenya.

This was his second win after the Supreme Court nullified his win in the August 8 election citing massive illegalities and irregularities.

Poll preparations were however derailed following the withdrawal of President Kenyatta’s main challenger Raila Odinga two weeks to the poll citing lack of willingness by the electoral body to undertake any changes to its operations and personnel to ensure that the repeat presidential election was conducted in strict adherence to the law.

The repeat poll was marred by low voter turnout.