Azimio’s Raila Odinga officially files petition at Supreme Court

Raila Odinga, the flagbearer for Azimio, has formally petitioned against the announcement of William Ruto as the next president.

In accordance with the rules of the supreme court, the petition was submitted on Monday, August 22, by Raila’s legal team, which was directed by Senior Counsel James Orengo.

According to the 2017 Supreme Court (Presidential Election Petition) Rules, if a petition is filed on the final day for filing, it must be done by 2 p.m. that day.

Daniel Maanzo, an attorney for Azimio, claims that the legal team has already submitted the petition online and will do so by the deadline along with the physical documents.

“We have filed the petition electronically through the e-filing platform as we wait for the physical documents so that the court can ascert the submission.

“We have until 2 p.m but I can assure that everything is ready. The team is still compiling the paperwork into books and they should be on their way to court any time from now,” he stated.

The president-elect and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission are the respondents, and Azimio has until Tuesday, August 23, to serve them after the petition is filed with the court (IEBC).

Four days will be given to IEBC to submit their responses to the Supreme Court. Seven days after it is submitted, on Monday, August 29, the Supreme Court bench will hear the petition as a result of this.

The presidential petition will be decided on by the seven-judge bench until September 4th, under the leadership of President and Chief Justice Martha Koome.

According to Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, Article 140, the court may uphold or invalidate the presidential election by a majority vote. If Ruto’s victory is confirmed, he will be sworn in in seven days.

“If the Supreme Court determines the election of the President-elect to be invalid, a fresh election shall be held within 60 days after the determination,” reads Article 140 (c).