Lawyer Willis Otieno caused a stir at the Supreme Court when he took issue with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati for allegedly bungling the August 9 General Election.
Willis tore into Chebukati for holding the country at ransom, after Kenyans willingly voted for their preferred presidential candidates.
Key among his arguments was that Chebukati took it upon himself as the IEBC without an affirmative consultation with the commissioners during the verification of the presidential election results at the Bomas of Kenya.
While sweating profusely in the courtroom, he accused Chebukati of reducing the status of executive to the childhood mimic game, saying 14 million voters had a say to elect their national leader but he led the machines, and technology have their way.
"He called both of them (Ruto and Raila) but he knew who the dice would land on, it fell on Ruto who he knew would be the president. We have reduced the executive to a childhood mimic game," Otieno stated.
He was, however, rebuked by Supreme Court judge Dr Smokin Wanjala on his analogy and the language before the court.
"I gave you a brotherly advice...be careful, that language appears to be alien to this court," Justice Wanjala stated.
Otieno is known for his controversial chide, case in point when Chebukati blocked him as the Safina party deputy presidential candidate and his then boss, businessman Jimi Wanjigi.
Wanjigi said he picked Otieno as his running mate because he was a young firebrand man with a diligent profession in the legal field who represented Kenyans aged below 40.
"He was an easy choice because I know with him we are in safe hands. He is a great young man, a diligent professional and a great friend who has had my back. He represents Kenyans who are aged 40 years and below," stated Wanjigi.
Willis Otieno's Profile
Otieno has worked on governance issues in the political and electoral process in Kenya.
This is his second time at the apex Court after he successfully defended Raila under the defunct NASA at the Supreme Court in the 2017 presidential election petition.
He also represented the current president of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi when they were having political disputes.
Otieno's rich profile indicates that he is "passionate about socio- economic rights and community empowerment" as stated on his LinkedIn page.
