Jubilee leaders welcome Supreme Court decision to uphold Uhuru win

Nairobi, Kenya: Cross section of leaders allied to the Jubilee party have reacted to the verdict by the Supreme Court that unanimously upheld the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Minutes after 10am, the President of the Supreme Court Chief Justice David Maraga dismissed the two petitions challenging the results of the repeat presidential petition on the basis that they were not merited.

Leaders from the Jubilee camp were on the forefront of congratulating both the President and his Deputy William Ruto for being favoured by the court's judgement. Those in attendance together with the lawyers left the Supreme Court and headed to Consolata Shrines for prayers.

Speaking outside the Supreme Court just minutes after the ruling was delivered, leader of the Majority in Parliament Aden Duale expressed his appreciation of the verdict saying that it was now time to embark on the transformation agenda of this country, as we await the swearing in of the president that is scheduled for the 28th of this month.

When asked what they intended to do to unite the country that has recently been divided along ethnic lines, Duale added that "The constitution has provided the right mechanisms and legal structure for uniting the country. There are plenty of forums provided to ensure that the country moves forward."

And as residents of Eldoret and Uasin Gishu counties stormed their respective cities breaking into song and dance, Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago urged NASA leaedrs and supporters alike to calmly accept the decision and respect the constitution, as did they during the first petition.

"We agree with the court's decision today and we ask NASA leaders to please ensure that peace prevails in their respective areas."

In Nairobi, various leaders from Jubilee among them Senator Kipchumba Murkomen held a mini- rally within the Central Business District (CBD) to thank their supporters for maintaining tranquility and to celebrate the big ruling.

On the other hand, opposition leaders have remained mum on the decision of the ruling hitherto even after the Supreme Court judges directed the withdrawal of opposition NASA from the second presidential petition.

Monday's ruling now paves way for the swearing in of President Uhuru Kenyatta next week Tuesday. This will be Uhuru's second and last term as per the guidelines provided in the constitution.