Eminent African Jurists Arrive Kenya For Election Petition

A high level panel of eminent African Jurists has arrived  in Kenya to observe the proceedings of the 2022 Presidential election petition, according to a statement issued by Kenya’s Communications yesterday.

Recall that the Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) declared Deputy President William  Ruto winner of the keenly contested Kenya’s Presidential election beating his closest rival, Raila Odinga.

Not satisfied with the results, Odinga,77, headed to the court with his petition challenging  the results after raising issues of irregularities.

The judges are members of the African Judges  and Jurists Forum(AJJF).

The 2022 Trial Observation Mission is headed by the Rtd Chief Justice of the Republic of Tanzania, Hon Justice Mohammed Chande Othman.

Other members of the delegation include Hon. Justice Lilian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza of the Supreme Court of Uganda,Hon. Lady Justice Kamanga from the Supreme Court of Appeal of Malawi, Justice Moses Chinhengo from the Court of Appeal of  Lesotho and Justice Henry Boissie Mbba, President Electoral Court of South African.

The Jurists will attend all the Supreme Court hearings, monitor and document the Presidential election position based on  international human rights standard of fair trial, analyse the role and independence of the judiciary in examining the electoral disputes and review the socio-political climate in the run up to the petition.

At the end of the trial observation, the observers Will develop a comprehensive report aiming at contributing to a more professional, Independent, impartial and accountable judiciary, a more independent legal profession and a better adherence to the rule of law and international legal standards concerning the resolution of electoral disputes.

The Observation Mission will also include bilateral meetings before the hearings with parties to the petition including the IEBC, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the Attorney General.