Why Raila changed tack and opted for the court

Police officers and the public engage in running battle at Kondele in Kisumu after the youth barricaded Kisumu-Kibos road on August 11. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

A State clampdown on two civil society groups, divisions over mass protests, and pressure from the international community reportedly prompted the Opposition to opt for the Supreme Court.

While the Opposition leaders had consistently vowed they would not petition the court over the disputed presidential election, it has emerged that various competing interests were at play, leading to Wednesday's decision by NASA leader Raila Odinga to go to court.