The seven Supreme Court judges on Friday, 2nd September 2022, concluded the presidential petition hearing and are expected to give their verdict later today.
William Ruto was declared the president elect by the IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati after the August general elections. The party leader Azimio la Umoja, Hon. Raila Odinga however challenged the results, declared them null and void with allegations of fraud during the votes tallying.
Odinga filed a 72-page petition, and citizens await the Supreme Court’s verdict today.
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Even with the verdict unknown, there are four possible outcomes expected from the seven judges.
In accordance with Article 138(5) of the constitution of Kenya 2010, the August elections results could be nullified in case the court invalidates the declaration by the IEBC, of William Ruto as the president-elect.
The court may also declare William Ruto as the 5th president of Kenya if the petition by the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga is dismissed, which would mean the election was free and fair.
In case of the above described instance, where the petition is dismissed, the petitioner is expected to cater for the finances of the respondent’s legal teams, in this case IEBC’s and Ruto’s or as advised by the court.
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Lastly, the decision by the seven bench judges is final in determining the verdict of the presidential results petition according to the Article 163(2) of the constitution. If the judges decide the results announced by the IEBC were correct, William Ruto will be sworn in as the president, seven days after the verdict. In the case that the results are nullified and the petition is allowed, there will be a repeat presidential election after 60 days.