This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
Uhuru's Re-election Upheld by Supreme Court, Legitimacy Question Remains ¶
November 20th, 2017 - The Supreme Court of Kenya has unanimously upheld the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the repeat election held on October 26, 2017. The court dismissed the two petitions filed by Harun Mwau, Njonjo Mue, and Khelef Khalifa, citing lack of merit.
Chief Justice David Maraga read the verdict on behalf of the six-judge bench, stating, "The court has unanimously determined that the petitions are not merited and the final orders are that the petition by John Harun Mwau versus the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and two others as consolidated is hereby dismissed."
The Supreme Court had previously nullified the August 8 presidential vote, citing illegalities and irregularities by the electoral body. The opposition presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, had petitioned the court to nullify the election, which was upheld after discovering errors in the transmission system and forms used to declare results.
However, while the Supreme Court has legalized President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election, the question of legitimacy among Kenyans remains a contentious issue. Raila Odinga's NASA coalition considers the government illegitimate and does not recognize it, citing the fact that some constituencies did not participate in the repeat election.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Raila Odinga traveled to Tanzania on November 19 to discuss the possibility of forming a government from there. The opposition leader is expected to announce his next course of action, which may include being sworn in from Tanzania.
