Ruling given in ten minutes amid tight security

By Augustine Oduor

NAIROBI; KENYA: It took ten minutes for the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict on the three presidential election petitions.

The wait was characterised by anxiety and heightened security around the Supreme Court precincts.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga had earlier in the day tweeted indicating the verdict would be known before 5pm.

And although the communication was later reinforced by Chief Registrar of the High Court Gladys Shollei at a media briefing, still nobody knew the time.

She had, however, said the media would be alerted an hour earlier.

Out of bounds

Outside the Supreme Court, movement was restricted, with armed GSU, Administration and regular police stationed at strategic points around the court and others patrolling the area.

All roads around the highest court remained closed to the public, with only accredited journalists allowed to walk through.

Wabera Street area next to Nakumatt Supermarket, City Hall way and the Parliament road junction next to Intercontinental Hotel were all out of bounds.

A police officer told The Standard on Sunday they had been in the area from as early as 3am.

But even with the tight security, a crowd gathered along Wabera Street singing pro-Raila Odinga chants.

The crowd kept growing and even the heavy rain that pounded the city a few minutes to the ruling did not appear to dampen their spirits.

As the afternoon wore on, there was no communication yet on the exact time of the ruling. 

At the Supreme Court, the lawyers of both the petitioner and respondents walked in, only this time they did not bring with them their huge files and briefcases.

At 4.45 pm, Justice Mutunga and the other judges walked into the court, but not in their official gowns and robes.

Inside the court, the judges took their positions and the President of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga read out the verdict. And in less than ten minutes, the business was over.

The respondents’ lawyers, in whose favour the judges had ruled, could not hold their joy as they silently shook hands.

As they walked out into the corridors of the court, they sprang into ecstatic claps and laughter.

Interestingly, back on the streets, the noisy crowds were no more. The streets were clear and the presence of the police barely noticeable.

Welcomed decision

Meanwhile, religious leaders from the North Rift joined other Kenyans in welcoming the decision made by the Supreme Court yesterday.

Eldoret Diocese Catholic Bishop Cornelius Korir said he was satisfied with the way the Judiciary handled the proceedings, terming it as free and fair.

Bishop Korir congratulated President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto and all the other leaders for their patience during the hearings.

 He urged Uhuru and Ruto to serve all Kenyans irrespective of their political affiliation. “I am asking President-elect Uhuru to to work closely with other leaders to ensure that peace prevails in the country,” said Korir.

He called on leaders who lost the petition to work with other leaders for the benefit of Kenyans.

Residents of Eldoret welcomed with jubilations the Supreme Court’s decision that upheld Uhuru’s election. The residents, who were following the ruling keenly in various eateries and drinking joints, took to the streets with song and dance immediately the verdict was announced.

Additional reporting by Faith Ronoh and Peter Ochieng