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Supreme Court cancels Kenya election, orders fresh polls in 60 days

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Supreme Court declares Kenya election null and, orders fresh polls in 60 days

The last general elections in Kenya which saw the incumbent, Uhuru Kenyatta defeat his opponent Raila Odinga by 54 percent of votes cast has been declared null and void by the country’s Supreme Court.

According to reports, the rule was reached after it was established that there were irregularities committed by the election board and an order to organise a new election in 60 days has also been issued to that effect.

Judge David Maranga who announced that the verdict was backed by four out of the six judges said that; “The declaration (of Kenyatta’s win) is invalid, null and void.”

“The first respondent (the election board) failed, neglected or refused to conduct the presidential election in a manner consistent with the dictates of the constitution,” he added.

Read also: KENYA: Odinga officially files court petition contesting Kenyatta’s re-election

The decision by the Supreme Court now hands renewed hope to Odinga who accused the ruling party of a “computer-generated presidency”, claiming that the election results were hacked and rigged in favour of Kenyatta.

Two weeks ago, Odinga made good his threat to contest the re-election of Kenyatta at the last polls when his lawyers filed a petition with the Supreme Court.

Odinga and his running mate, Kalonzo Musyoka who moments after filling the petition, both said in a statement that they were seeking redress at the high court because of alleged irregularities in the August 8 presidential vote, now both have their wish to contest favorably with Kenyatta.

Meanwhile Kenyatta, says he disagrees with the decision of the Supreme Court to nullify the elections.

He says however, that he would respect the decision and urged citizens to do the same.

“The court has made its decision. We respect it. We don’t agree with it. And again, I say peace … peace, peace, peace,” he said in a televised address. “That is the nature of democracy”.

 

 

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