Lawyer sues CJ Martha Koome over new election petition rule

President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) flanked by CJ Martha Koome and Attorney Genera Kihara Kariuki at the end of National Prayer Day at Safari Park hotel in Nairobi on May 26, 2022. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

A lawyer has moved to court to quash Chief Justice Martha Koome’s gag order stopping public comments on the presidential election petition. Lawyer Omwanza Ombati in his petition filed at the High Court argued that the CJ’s directive stopping debate on the merits of any presidential election petition filed is unconstitutional and meant to curtail people’s freedom of expression.

“Whereas every person is entitled to the freedom of conscience, thought, belief and opinion and the freedom of expression, the CJ’s gag order unjustifiably purports to limit these rights to the detriment of the public and litigants in a presidential election petition,” said Mr Ombati in his petition.