Kenya Supreme Court cancels election results

Kenya reaches a milestone in electoral dispute settlements with a landmark decision of the country’s Supreme Court to annul the results of the presidential election held on August 8, 2017.

The opposition candidate Raila Odinga who lost to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta challenged the results arguing it was fraudulent and he petitioned the Supreme Court. The decision was reached when four out of the six Judges upheld the petition by Odinga.

“The presidential election was not conducted in accordance with constitution, rendering the declared results invalid null and void,” Chief Justice David Maraga said.

The Court ruled the election must be re-run.

The Court has ordered that fresh elections should be held within 60 days.

Kenya was plunged into violence following disputes after the country’s 2007 elections was won by Kenyatta. Inter-ethnic clashes and police violence led to the killing of 1,300 people and more than 650,000 displaced.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi