Kenya Election Petition Hearing Begins
A seven-judge bench has begun hearing petitions seeking to overturn the election of William Ruto as Kenya’s president elect.
Led by Chief Justice Martha Koome, the judges struck out two petitions and consolidated seven others because they raised similar issues and sought the same orders.
The court also rejected three applications including a request by Mr Ruto, who sought to bar the Law Society of Kenya from the case.
The court has set out nine issues of determination that will shape the final ruling set to be delivered on 5 September.
Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga rejected the election result saying the announcement was unlawful.
He cited divisions among the seven electoral commissioners and the commission chairman Wafula Chebukati’s failure to explain how he arrived at the final tally.
Mr Chebukati declared Mr Ruto as Kenya’s president-elect saying he garnered 7.1m votes against Mr Odinga 6.9m votes.
The court, which held a preliminary hearing on Tuesday morning, has adjourned and will resume later in the afternoon to consider several issues raised by lawyers.
The case will proceed to full hearing from Wednesday.
Source: BBC
