Chief Justice Martha Koome. [David Gichuru, Standard]

It will be battle royale after the Supreme Court set tough ground rules for hearing the presidential election petition until judgement.

The seven judges of the apex court set three days for which the seven petitions will be heard, the respondents heard and a rejoinder for the parties for any issue raised addressed.

From setting the issues for determination, rearranging the petitioners, locking out some parties and giving time allocations, the judges have taken charge of the proceedings and will not leave anything to chance.

After striking out petitions by gospel musician cum politician Reuben Kigame and former Gatundu MP Moses Kuria, the judges consolidated the remaining seven petitions challenging the presidential results.

"Having dismissed the other petitions, we are remaining with seven petitions which will be consolidated since they are raising similar issues emanating from the same presidential election held on August 9," ruled the judges.

They said that after going through the petitions, the one filed by Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua will be the lead petitioners while the others will be co-petitioners.

The petitioners will have a combined total of six hours to argue their case but since Raila's petition will be the lead file, the judges granted his team the lion's share of three hours to make their submissions.

The other petitioners, John Njoroge, Youth Advocacy Alliance, Khelif Khalifa, Okiya Omtatah and Julius Nyokabi will share the remaining three hours of 30 minutes each.

On the other hand, IEBC and president-elect William Ruto was also given six hours which they will share equally with each allocated three hours.

The four IEBC commissioners who disowned results announced by Wafula Chebukati will have one hour to share among themselves while the Attorney General will have 30 minutes to make his case.