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Moment of Truth for Kenyans as Supreme Court Rules on President-elect
Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT |Â The Supreme Court of Kenya will give its verdict today on the country’s recent general election. The court will either confirm William Ruto as the President-elect or nullify the results.
Kenyans are divided on whether the Supreme Court should stick to its findings and follow the provisions of the law, or make a decision that will ensure the country remains peaceful and move ahead.
If the results are annulled, the court will either order a fresh election based on the irregularities discovered or a vote recount to determine the winner. Ahead of the verdict today, Ruto has pledged to accept whatever the outcome will be for the sake of the rule of law. “The Supreme Court will give its verdict. We will respect the ruling because there is no Kenyan who is smaller than the other,” he said. He, however, sounded confident the Supreme court will uphold his victory.
Sections of Kenyan media report that when he was asked about whether or not he would accept the decision of the court, Raila Odinga said he did not want to preempt the verdict of the judges, but hoped it would go his way. Security forces in the country are on alert to prevent or contain any undesired public reaction to the outcome of the court process.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Edward Mbugua has ordered regional police commanders to be on top of the situation irrespective of the outcome. “Depending on the ruling, we expect various reactions from the public. You are directed to prepare orders on how to deal with the aftermath of the court ruling,” he said in a notice to regional police commanders.
Analysis shows increased police deployments in selected areas based on what has happened over time especially since the 2007 presidential election. The Kenya National Police Service has also warned citizens to stay away from the supreme court premises, while several roads to the Milimani Law Courts area will be closed two hours before judgement. A number of major roads to the Central Business District will also be closed.
Elections commentator and Uganda Human Rights Commission member, Crispin Kaheru has hailed the anxiety for peace apparent among most Kenyans. “Whichever way it goes, there’s a likelihood that the various parties will respect the Court ruling. It is my humble wish that Kenya emerges from this situation as a stronger and stable democracy,” he says.
According to the results announced by Wafula Chebukati, the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission-IEBC Ruto garnered 7,176,141 votes, or 50.49 percent of the total votes cast, enough for him to be declared winner.
However, Odinga who polled 6,942,930 votes or 48.85 percent petitioned the Supreme Court claiming irregularities like tampering with the system to falsify the tallies, as well as sidelining part of the seven-member commission before announcing the final tally.
During the church service in Nakuru on Sunday, Ruto also said President Uhuru Kenyatta needed prayers to enable him to oversee a peaceful transfer of power. “Let us pray for President Uhuru Kenyatta during this transition period so that peace may prevail in the country and so that we can move forward,” Ruto said.
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