Leaders must accept Supreme Court verdict without inciting chaos

Kenyans, irrespective of which side of the political divide they are in, are waiting with bated breath for the Supreme Court judgment set to be delivered today on the petitions filed against the 2022 presidential election results.

According to the results announced by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati on August 15, Deputy President William won the election and is now the president-elect. However, Ruto's main challenger, Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga, and his running mate Martha Karua have disputed the results and urged the Supreme Court to nullify the election.

It is commendable that since these results were announced three weeks ago, Kenyans have remained largely peaceful. It is in everyone's interest that this peace continues to prevail even after today's verdict of the apex court. Kenyans are still struggling to recover from the debilitating effects of Covid-19 and the eventual economic slump that has raised the cost of living to levels beyond the reach of many citizens.

Evidence has shown that in past elections, resultant violence was rarely spontaneous. It has always been blamed on how the political protagonists react to the election results. Refusal to accept the results or the court's verdict by either party directly or indirectly incites the masses to violent demonstrations that not only destroy invaluable property but also cost lives.

Granted, one might be aggrieved by the way the election is conducted and feel that it's not free, fair and verifiable. That is why the Constitution provides a clear mechanism on how to legally contest the election at the Supreme Court whose decision is final and binding to all parties involved.

Calling for mass action or demonstrations and threatening the Judiciary with "we will revisit" remarks when things don't go your way, as happened after the 2017 elections and the court's decision to nullify the presidential poll, are not some of those mechanisms provided by the Constitution.

It behooves political leaders to call their supporters to order before, during and after the elections, irrespective of the outcome. Democracy dictates that the majority have their way as the minority have their say.

Raila, Ruto and their camps should not allow this election to turn them into bitter losers, whichever way the Supreme Court decision goes, because as the Kiswahili saying goes, "when two bulls fight, it's the grass that suffers".

Kenyans must also resist incitement from their favourite political leaders. So far, they have proved that they can maintain the peace, despite the outcome of the elections, and that our politicians could be the biggest problem.

If your candidate wins, celebrate responsibly without taunting your competitors. But if you lose, mourn quietly without causing chaos, pick up the pieces and let's continue building this country together.