Supreme Court rejects petition against Uhuru’s October win

The Supreme Court has rejected a case filed by two youths who wanted to be allowed to challenge the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta without paying the pre-requisite deposit of Ksh.1.5 million.

Supreme Court Deputy Registrar Daniel Ole Keiuwa ruled that the application does not meet the threshold for filing under rule 4 (2) of the Supreme Court (presidential Election Petition) Rules 2007 as read with rule 50 of the supreme court.

The two – George Bush and John Chengo – on Monday evening filed an application known as Forma Pauperis. Bush and Chengo, who are former Moi University student leaders, filed a pauper’s brief which allows a poor person to argue in court without paying court fees claiming they live in grinding poverty.

Meanwhile, two other petitions have been filed to challenge the validity of the October 26 poll. One of the cases which were lodged a few hours to the Monday evening deadline is by former Kilome Member of Parliament Harun Mwau and the other by and another by Njonjo Mue and Khelef Khalifa.

In his petition, Mwau argues that “proceeding to conduct fresh presidential elections without nominated candidates, nominations, without fees, and without giving persons listed as candidates equal campaign period, directly affected the conduct and results of the fresh presidential elections of 26th October 2017.”

Mue and Khalifa claim that “IEBC and Wafula Chebukati spectacularly failed to exercise independence while conducting the fresh presidential election.” The want the court to nullify the election of President Kenyatta.

Respondents named in the election petition challenging the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta have until tomorrow evening to file their responses.

The respondents in the case include President Uhuru Kenyatta, IEBC together with its chairman Wafula Chebukati.

Another petition was also filed by Institute of Democratic Governance which seeks to have NASA opposition coalition leaders led by Raila Odinga held liable for violence and damages during the period of fresh presidential election.