Wafula Chebukati Archives | The East African Business Times

The National Council of NGOs (The NGO Council of Kenya) has appealed to Kenyans to remain patient and bear with the Supreme Court at it waits to give its determination of the recently concluded and highly contested presidential elections.

In a statement on Sunday, the council chairman Stephen Cheboi urged all the political parties and their supporters to allow the judiciary time as provided by the law if Azimio La Umoja One Kenya files a dispute.

“The NGOs Council appreciates all Kenyans for turning up in large numbers to elect leaders of their choice and remain Peaceful after casting their votes on Tuesday 9th August 2022. The NGOs Council reiterates and appeals to Kenyans to maintain peace and harmony with one another in every part of the nation,” he said.

Cheboi further urged all the winners and losers for the various positions to continue in the same peaceful spirit of give and take to avoid any possible election related violence or acrimony.

He also appreciated Kenyans for voting peacefully saying the council was satisfied with the way voters conducted themselves and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials through reports received from their county and sub-county Network who monitored the process.

“We take this opportunity to laud all other Observers and civic groups for their job well done in participating in the 2022 general Electoral Process. We urge all Kenyans to continue to be peaceful and exercise patience. We call for peace and harmony among all Kenyans and leaders. We urge leaders who have been elected to be servant leaders and serve the people as per the promises they each gave during the campaign period,” he added.

Mr Cheboi further expressed his confidence with the judiciary claiming it will deliver justice in the interest of the nation.

Parties seeking legal redress regarding the presidential results declared by the IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati have until today (Monday) 2pm to file petitions at the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has already set preparations to receive, hear and deliver a ruling in the event of a presidential petition.

Those appearing before the floor of the court will be Kenya Kwanza led by William Ruto, Azimio la Umoja led by Raila Odinga and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) led by its chairman Wafula Chebukati.

The three teams have also announced the names of the lawyers who will be representing them in the Supreme Court battle.

Raila Odinga’s team will have Prof Tom Ojienda, Otiende Amollo, Paul Mwangi, Pheroze Norwojee, Ex Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Phillip Murgor, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo and Makueni Senator Jnr Daniel Maanzo.

On the other hand, William Ruto’s team will be fronting Fred Ngatia, Adrian Kamotho, Ex Tharaka-Nithi Senator Prof Kithure Kindiki , Former LSK president Nelson Havi and Collins Kiprono.

Wafula Chebukati’s team on the other hand will have former Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai, Kamau Karori, Abdikadir Mohamed, Eric Gumbo, Peter Wanyama and Edwin Mukele.

The petition will be determined for 14 days from today (Monday) by seven Apex Court judges led by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

The European Union (EU) has called for a peaceful and legal solution of Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s rejection of the General Election results.

The EU has called for an amicable solution to the dispute and urged all political leaders to avoid violence but instead advocate for peace.

“The EU takes note of the results by the IEBC declaring Mr William Ruto winner of the election and the decision to appeal by Mr Raila Odinga. Ongoing dispute and any remaining concerns about this election must be resolved peacefully through existing legal mechanisms,” EU’s High Representative Josep Borrell said in a statement.

“All political and societal leaders must avoid any violence and call for calm. It is time for political leadership and responsibility from all those linked to the electoral process,” he added.

Borell however commended Kenyans for maintaining peace in the electioneering period and expressed optimism in fostering stronger relations between the incoming Kenyan government and the EU.

“The EU commends Kenyans for the calm and peaceful election day on 9th August, when they expressed their choice across six elections, including for the Presidency,” said Borell.

“We look forward to working together and developing further, together with the future Kenyan leadership, the mutually beneficial EU-Kenya Strategic Dialogue begun in June 2021.”

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on August 15 announced Dr. William Ruto as the president elect after garnering 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49 percent while Mr. Odinga lost narrowly after getting 6,942,930 votes, representing 48 percent of the total votes cast.

Mr. Odinga announced he would be heading to court to challenge the results which he termed null and void, accusing IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati of violating the Constitution and electoral laws.

Odinga has meanwhile called on his supporters to remain calm, as his team explores legal avenues to have the announcement by Chebukati nullified in court.

A petition challenging the presidential election results should be filed within seven days from the declaration of the results by IEBC.

According to the Supreme Court, the petition will then be determined 14 days from the day it was filed.