By Sarah Omondi
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Presidential candidate Raila Odinga has finally filed a petition seeking to quash President elect William Ruto’s win at the Supreme Court.
Mr Odinga, who was accompanied by his running mate Martha Karua and Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka among other leaders, wants the apex court to overturn Dr Ruto’s victory claiming that the outgoing Deputy President was not validly elected.
The petition files were delivered in a white lorry to the amazement of many Kenyans.
The leaders, who said they had watertight evidence to prove that their victory “was stolen” through doctored figures claimed that the electoral agency allowed a criminality by ostensibly giving access of its servers to their Kenya Kwanza opponents.
In the petition that was admitted at the court, the former Prime Minister is seeking orders to among others scrutinize IEBC servers, website and portal and Presidential results in form 34A, 34B and 34Cs.
Dr Ruto was declared the winner in the race after polling 7.1 million against Mr Odinga’s 6.9 million representing 50.49 percent and 48.85 percent respectively.
Also, the petitioners want Ruto’s win nullified and IEBC ordered to conduct fresh Presidential polls but should not be presided by agency’s chair Wafula Chebukati.
While addressing supporters at KICC after filing the petition, Mr Odinga said justice must prevail and maintained that the voice of Kenyans will not be muzzled.
“I appeal to Kenyans to remain calm as we prosecute the case in court,” he said while exuding confidence of a win.
Filing of the petition, Mr Odinga said, was in line with stipulations of the constitution on resolving electoral disputes and an affirmation of Azimio’s deep belief in rule of law.
He said the last week’s Presidential results represented a continuing struggle pitting the forces for democracy and good governance against the corruption cartels that are so determined to take control of government.
“This is a do or die battle for the corruption cartels who have everything to lose should the forces of democracy take over. The corruption cartels are prepared to compromise electoral systems, bribe election officials, make security systems look the other way or even kill in order to find their way to power and their ill-gotten wealth and continue stealing from the public,” he said.
Mr Odinga said for the country to progress, the corruption network must not only be stopped, but also be crushed.
Both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza have contracted top Kenyan lawyers with Mr Odinga to be represented by former Director of Public Prosecutions Philip Murgor, Senior counsel James Orengo (Siaya Governor elect) and Pheroze Nowrojee who is a seasoned constitutional lawyer.
Dr Ruto has senior counsels Fred Ngatia and Ahmednassir Abdullahi who represented President Uhuru Kenyatta and IEBC in the 2017 presidential elections petition respectively.
The Chief Justice Martha Koome led court that has Justices Philomena Mwilu (Deputy Chief Justice), William Ouko, Njoki Ndung’u, Smokin Wanjala, Isaac Lenaola and Mohamed Ibrahim has 14 days to hear and determine whether or not Dr Ruto won validly.
