More than 270 petitions lodged in Kenyan courts after nullification of presidential vote
More than 270 petitions have been filed in court following Kenya’s presidential election result nullification by the Supreme Court.
The number represents a steep from the number of petitions lodged after the 2013 general elections in the East African nation.
31 out of 47 governors have had their election challenged by losing opponents who claim electoral manipulation.
The Judiciary has previously stated that judges and magistrates are ready to hear and conclude the cases within six months.
The country’s Chief Justice David Maraga earlier this year said judicial officers had already been trained to handle the petitions and conclude them within the set timelines.
“Virtually all judicial officers of the rank of senior resident magistrate and above, including the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judges, have been trained,” he said.
One losing gubernatorial candidate has however filed a case to quash the whole election, arguing that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the presidential vote is evident enough that the whole process was flawed.
Among those whose elections have been challenged include 92 Members of Parliament, 11 Women Representatives, and more than 120 Members of County Assemblies across the country.
Kenya’s repeat election is scheduled to be conducted on 17 October.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has said it is prepared to hold that vote that it says will only have two candidates, President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
