Kenyan court overturns presidential election result, orders new vote

Kenya’s Supreme Court on Friday invalidated the result of last month’s contentious presidential election citing irregularities and ordered a new one within 60 days.

Raila Odinga, the leader of the opposition party National Super Alliance (NASA), had alleged widespread fraud in the August 8 vote, including the hacking of the electoral commission’s computer system. Six Supreme Court judges backed the ruling. “Majority actually belong to jail”, Mr. Odinga said, insisting that the commissioners must be prosecuted.

Odinga, the veteran opposition leader whose coalition brought the petition against the election board to the Supreme Court, said officials from the commission should face criminal prosecution.

“Those commissioners must go. They (police) came to beat and shoot at us when we protested the election results, but now the truth is out”, said Jackson Oduor in Kisumu. For the first time in the history of Africa, the courts have nullified the election of a sitting president.

Supporters of the opposition were seen celebrating outside the court building, as well as in opposition strongholds. Kenyatta, however, also repeated his message from Friday that he would respect the court’s ruling. Nothing is ideal. And therefore, you can not immediately think about jailing people.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had said there was a hacking attempt but it failed.

Environmentalist and one time PDP Governorship Aspirant in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has applauded the recent Supreme Court judgement in Kenya. “Let us be people of peace”, he said in a speech.

“There are more fundamental decisions to made in the days ahead, including who will conduct the next elections…”

Earlier on, Uhuru had addressed the media is State House, expressing his dissatisfaction in the decision to overturn his presidential win but said he didn’t have a choice but obey it for the sake of peace.

The president had won a second term with 54 percent of the vote in August’s election.

In his reaction to the ruling, Mr. Kenyatta said he respects the ruling as much as he disagrees with it.

His response comes a day after the Supreme Court annulled his election as President.

Meanwhile, supporters of Odinga poured into the streets, cheering, and waiting for another chance to elect their candidate.