Supreme Court set for presidential petition Pre-Trial Conference

The Supreme Court is set to hold a pre-trial conference on NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s petition challenging the declaration of Uhuru Kenyatta as the winner of the August 8 election at 7 pm tonight (August 26).

According to Supreme Court Registrar, Esther Nyaiyaki, the aim of the conference is to set the rules of engagement, identify the real issues in dispute, consider in advance issues relating to any arguments, regarding the admissibility of any documentary, technical, expert, pre-recorded, digital or electronic evidence including confessions and video, or audio-recorded interviews.

The conference is also used to determine the length of time each party will use to make submissions and or rebut any evidence that is presented during the hearing.

The status conference is being held on the 8th day of the 14 days that the Supreme Court has constitutionally to hear and determine the petition.

Lawyers representing the petitioner, respondents and other interested parties will have to use their time diligently and prioritise their issues.

Once the oral and closing submissions have been made, the 7 Judges will retreat to prepare their ruling.

Section 27 of the Court’s Procedures on Presidential Election Petitions allows the Judges to issue a brief ruling and a comprehensive one within 14 days.

The judgment will be rendered on Friday, September 1 and the Judge’s decision is final.

Judiciary Chief Registrar, Ann Amadi, affirms that all is set for the hearing of the petition.