Stage set for explosive legal battle as Raila finally files presidential poll petition at Supreme Court
Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua have finally filed a petition at Supreme Court to challenge the declaration of William Ruto as President-elect by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The duo, accompanied by Kalonzo Musyoka, arrived at the Supreme Court sub-registry at Milimani Law courts at 12.30 pm on Monday, August 22.
They lodged the petition and voluminous documentary evidence at the Supreme Court; Forodha House Sub-Registry in a lorry.
The documents packed in 39 cartons were taken to the Registry in a truck. The documents include 459 Form 34Cs, 34As, and 34Bs and multiple affidavits of witnesses. Some of the witnesses are Mr Ben Wasonga and Benjamin Agina.
They intend to use evidence availed at the apex court to prove how the just concluded presidential election conducted by IEBC was a sham and that it was marred by irregularities and illegalities.
Azimio's legal team led by senior counsel James Orengo and Paul Mwangi described the general election as a sham, saying they were confident that the 39-volume documents submitted to the Supreme Court will prove the same.
Odinga was accompanied by a huge crowd that overpowered the police and security guards manning the court's entrance to access the registry.
Ruto was declared the winner of the presidential election held on August 9 after garnering 7176,141 (50.49%) votes against Raila's 6942,930 (48.85%).
Raila, however, said the election was marred by irregularities and rigging, vowing to overturn it in court.
According to Makueni Senator-elect Dan Maanzo, the Azimio team earlier filed the petition online and served parties involved in the case.
"We have filed the petition online to avoid the story of people saying they have not been served. Once you have the online one filed and served to parties, then it becomes very easy for the parties to prepare for the petition," Maanzo said.
