Supreme Court's Timelines For Hearing & Determining Presidential Petitions

From left:  Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Paul Mwangi and Siaya governor-elect James Orengo at the Supreme Court registry on August 23, 2022.
From left: Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Paul Mwangi and Siaya governor-elect James Orengo at the Supreme Court registry on August 23, 2022.
Twitter
Raila Odinga

The Judiciary has published key timelines in the determination of presidential election petitions filed by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, and eight other petitioners.

In a schedule published on Tuesday, August 23, the Judiciary indicated that all nine petitioners will be required to serve the respondents in their petitions today.

Consequently, all the respondents will be given four days to compile their responses. They will be required to file their responses at the Supreme Court registry by Saturday, August 27.

Lady Justice Martha Koome (center) and the other members of the Supreme Court bench.
From Left: Supreme Court judges Isaac Lenaola, Smokin Wanjala, Philomena Mwilu, Martha Koome, Mohammed Ibrahim, Njoki Ndungu and William Ouko taking a photo outside the Supreme Court in September 2022.
Photo
The Judiciary of Kenya

Respondents will also serve the petitioners with their responses during the same period.

Thereafter, petitioners will file their rejoinders - a reply to issues raised by the respondents on Sunday, August 28.

"Interlocutory applications will be filed and served on Monday, August 29, and consequent responses to the applications filed on Tuesday, August 30," read the schedule in part.

Interlocutory applications are requests made by any of the parties in the petition to the court or the other party in regard to the things they would wish fulfilled to help them in executing their cases.

Upon conclusion of filing interlocutory applications, third parties enjoined in the suits will be given an opportunity to file their applications before the court and served each of the petitioners and respondents in the particular petition.

The deadline for the third-party application is set for Wednesday, August 31. A pre-trial conference will then be held for one day on Tuesday, August 30.

Some of the issues to be discussed and determined during the pretrial include; framing contested & uncontested issues, consideration to consolidate the petitions, and determination on the number of advocates to speak and the time allocated to them.

Hearing of petitions by the seven Supreme Court Judges led by Chief Justice Martha Karambu Koome will commence on  Wednesday, August 31.

Deadline to rendering the judgment is set for Monday, September 5.

According to the law, the Supreme Court is expected to deliver judgement on presidential petitions 14 days after the petitions are filed.

Others who have filed petitions before the Supreme Court include David Ngari, John Kamau, Khelef Khalifa, Moses Kuria, Busia Senator elect - Okiya Omtatah, Reuben Kigame, Youth Advocacy Africa and Juliah Chege.

William Ruto on the left holding his certificate with Rigathi Gachagua on the right accompanied by other Kenya Kwanza leaders at Bomas of Kenya on August 15, 2022
William Ruto on the left holding his certificate with Rigathi Gachagua on the right accompanied by other Kenya Kwanza leaders at Bomas of Kenya on August 15, 2022
Kenyans.co.ke
  • .