Let’s move on, Kenyans say after judgement delivered

By Caroline Rwenji

KENYA: As Kenyans awaited the ruling on the three election petitions challenging President-elect Uhuru Kenya’s win, there were numerous appeals for calm on social media.

On Facebook, Martha Karua, who was a presidential candidate, appealed to Kenyans to respect the court decision.

“As the country awaits the important voice of our courts today, let us remind ourselves that upholding the rule of law entails abiding by the final outcomes of litigation even when we do not agree with them or even believe in them. We cannot choose to abide only when the verdict is in our favour,” she said.

And after Chief Justice read the verdict, she said on Twitter: “It is great that the first and most contested decision of the Supreme Court was unanimous - a good start for the court!”

An hour after the judgement, Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Facebook and Twitter pages and Peter Kenneth’s wall did not have anything on the Supreme Court ruling.

Expressed relief

Once the court delivered the ruling, Kenyans congratulated the President-elect on both Facebook and Twitter, with those supporting Raila also applauding his efforts.

Although the ruling was greeted with mixed reactions, many expressed relief that the process is over and they can now get back to building the nation.

Mark Kamau, a matatu driver welcomed the unanimous decision, which everyone has now to abide by.

“The tension is now finally over and we can go back to our normal lives. Some of the people we operate on the same route with have not come back since they went to vote for fear of violence,” he said.

Farida Ali said she would have preferred if the court decision favoured the petitioner, but was quick to add that Kenyans should now move on.