The Kenyan Supreme Court has made its ruling dismissing the petition of Raila Odinga and upholding the victory of President-elect William Ruto in the 9 August presidential polls.
The ruling was read by Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, Martha Koome.
“The presidential election petition number E005 of 2022 as consolidated with presidential election petition numbers E001, E002, E003, E004, E006, E007 and E008 of 2022 are hereby dismissed”, she said.
The court’s decision was unanimous by the 7-member panel of judges.
Odinga rushed to the court after Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, IEBC, declared Mr Ruto winner of the election with 50.49% of the votes cast to Odinga’s 48.85%.
The court said it found some of the claims by the petitioner “sensational information” but however agreed there were some “dysfunction” in the Commission’s internal processes. The court said they found those issues insufficient to annul the election, rhetorically asking, “Are we to nullify the outcome of an election on the basis of a last-minute boardroom rupture whose details remain scanty?“
The court gave its ruling within 14 days mandated by the constitution.
There is no further appeal in the matter beyond the supreme court of the Republic of Kenya.
The finality of the verdict has rested the year-long anxieties over Kenya’s often bitter and violent elections.
Reports say the mood at Odinga’s Kisumu province was pensive as the courts’ verdict reeled in while jubilations erupted in the Rift Valley – the stronghold of president-elect Ruto.
This will be Raila Odinga’s fifth attempt at the presidency and possibly his last.
President Uhuru Kenyetta is billed to address the nation shortly.
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