KENYA: Tension as Supreme Court reviews petition contesting Kenyatta’s victory

There is palpable tension in Kenya as the country’s Supreme Court reviews a petition contesting the victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta in last month’s presidential election which has thrown the country into political turmoil.

Reports say security was tight outside the court room following a request by judges who demanded more security after the bodyguard of the deputy chief justice was shot a day before the hearing.

Read also: Kenyatta wins 98.2% of votes in an election marred by violence, boycott

The petition challenging Kenyatta’s victory which has now opened the door for legal scrutiny of the polls was filed by a former lawmaker after the rerun marred by violence and a boycott by the main opposition coalition.

Announcing the incumbent as the winner of the polls last month, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said Kenyatta won 98.2 per cent of the votes cast in the October 26 election, according to results from 265 out of 290 constituencies, plus ballots from the diaspora.

Raila Odinga, leader of the National Super Alliance (NASA) opposition alliance, received 0.9 per cent of the votes, according to the IEBC. The remaining votes were shared by the other six candidates who took part in the election.

 

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