On Monday, September 5, the Supreme Court dismissed a presidential petition filed by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party captain Raila Odinga.
Odinga in his petition had requested the apex court to invalidate IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati’s announcement that declared William Ruto the fifth President-elect.
Through their lawyers, Raila Odinga and his 2022 running mate Martha Karua had argued that Ruto did not achieve the 50 percent threshold required by the law to be declared the winner.
However, in the judgment, the seven judges of the Supreme Court ruled that Ruto met the constitutional threshold of 50 percent +1 vote of the total valid votes cast and garnered 25 percent of the votes cast in at least 24 counties.
In a statement, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his 2022 running mate Martha Karua have disagreed with Koome’s ruling.
“We respect the opinion of the court although we vehemently disagree with their decision today,” Raila Odinga said.
Raila said it was unfortunate that the seven judges of the Supreme Court did not agree with them even in one of the nine pieces of evidence they had submitted to annul William Ruto’s win.
“Our lawyers proffered irrefutable evidence and the facts were on the side. Unfortunately, the judge saw it otherwise. We find it incredible that the judge found against us on all nine grounds and occasion resulted in unduly exaggerated language to refute our claims,” Raila said.
On her side, Raila Odinga’s 2022 running mate Martha Karua said as much as she respects the court’s decision, she does not agree with its findings.
“The court has spoken. I respect but I disagree with the findings,” Karua said in a Tweet.
In what appeared Raila will not tire of seeking justice from other corridors of power, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s handshake partner thanked his supporters for standing with him and assured them that he will be communicating his next step.
“We will be communicating in the near future on our plans to continue our struggle for transparency, accountability, and democracy,” Raila said.
