Supreme Court’s duty can never be a preserve of the political class

Chief Justice David Maraga. [Photo: Courtesy]

The Supreme Court on September 1, 2017 found that the August 8, 2017 Presidential elections did not meet the yardsticks of the Constitution and the laws governing elections and set aside the declaration of Uhuru Kenyatta as President. Following this nullification, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission set the date of a fresh presidential election on October 26, 2017. The President’s main contender, Raila Odinga, withdrew his candidature in the fresh election.

The President’s declaration as the winner of the October 26, 2017 fresh presidential election was once again challenged in the Supreme Court. The President’s main contender, his deputy and their coalition, NASA, did not participate in these proceedings. This time the challenge to the Presidential election was unsuccessful and the President was declared duly elected and was sworn in on November 28, 2017.