Farmers Party, a member of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking to be enjoined in Azimio leader Raila Odinga's case.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, August 9, a representative from the party confirmed that the suit, backed by the party leader Irungu Nyakera, sought to defend the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's (IEBC) declaration of William Ruto as the President-elect.
"They are enjoining to support that the process that IEBC used to manage the elections was fair and transparent and to support the win of William Ruto.
"Sometimes when you look at a process like the Supreme Court, it is the major parties that get heard but individual voters get lost in the process," stated the source.
In a press release dated August 25, the party argued that it is enjoining itself to accord farmers a voice during the Supreme Court proceedings.
The petition was supported by the affidavits from Nyakera and five other petitioners who introduced themselves as farmers drawn from various counties.
"The Farmers Party presented to the Supreme Court of Kenya, a petition to enjoin itself to the 2022 presidential Elections Petition, to ensure that the rights of farmers are protected and their voices are heard.
"Farmers form over 65% of Kenya’s voters and they fulfilled their civic duty on 9th August 2022, by waking up to vote for their candidates of choice," read the statement in part.
During the petition's presentation, Nyakera, the Chairperson of the Farmers Party, maintained that the election was free, fair and transparent as conducted by IEBC.
He backed his claims by noting that his bid to become Murang'a governor was unsuccessful but commended IEBC for its conduct throughout the exercise.
"I was a gubernatorial candidate in Murang’a County, and though I was not successful, I can confirm that IEBC conducted the election in a verifiable, fair, and transparent manner. The 2022 elections have set a new bar for open governance in elections, that Africa can emulate," Nyakera explained.
In his petition, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga named IEBC alongside others as respondents claiming that the election results were manipulated before Ruto was announced the winner after attaining the requisite 50 per cent plus one votes.
Odinga is seeking to be declared the winner through a recount or have the results nullified to allow for a run-off.
