Harvard & Other Universities Presidential Petition Lawyers Attended

A collage of Senior Counsels James Orengo and Otiende Amollo (1).jpg
A collage of Senior Counsels James Orengo and Otiende Amollo.
Kenyans.co.ke

The presidential petition at the Supreme Court challenging the declaration of William Ruto as president-elect in the concluded August 9 polls has featured some reputable lawyers in the country.

Each legal team has presented its case to the apex court in a bid to sway the seven-judge bench in its favour. Legal terminologies surfaced including biblical references and analogies quoted by the attorneys.

The key parties in the petition include petitioners Raila Odinga and Martha Karua and respondents, President-elect William Ruto, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and IEBC chairperson, Wafula Chebukati. 

Kenyans.co.ke dives into the educational background of some of the presidential petition lawyers.

Senior Counsel Abdikadir Mohamed during the presidential petition hearing on Thursday September 1, 2022.
Senior Counsel Abdikadir Mohamed during the presidential petition hearing on Thursday, September 1, 2022.
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Judiciary

Abdikadir Hussein Mohamed

The lawyer represented the electoral body chairperson Wafula Chebukati who was accused of acting unconstitutionally by announcing Ruto as president-elect despite a section of the commissioners disowning the results.

Abdikadir grew up in Northeastern Kenya. He attended Alliance High School and the University of Nairobi where he studied law before flying to Harvard Law School.

Otiende Omollo 

The Rarieda MP-elect represented former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who opposed the presidential election results.

Omollo attended Maranda Boys' High school before proceeding to the University of Nairobi to pursue a Bachelor of Laws.

Mahat Somane

Somane acted for IEBC. He defended that the commission acted accordingly in the General Election.

He was born in Garissa and studied at the University of Nairobi where he pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Law.

Somane also graduated with a Master's Degree in Law from Harvard Law School. He further completed a second Master's Degree in Public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Kithure Kindiki

Lawyers Kithure Kindiki and  Kioko Kilukumi appearing at the Supreme court as respondents for William Ruto on August 31, 2022
Lawyers Kithure Kindiki and Kioko Kilukumi appearing at the Supreme court as respondents for William Ruto on August 31, 2022
Judiciary

Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki represented William Ruto in the petition. 

Kindiki holds a PhD in International Law from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He also graduated from Moi University with a Bachelor of Laws.

Willis Otieno

Willis Otieno represents Khelef Khalifa an activist who also challenged Ruto's win.

Otieno holds a Law Bachelor's Degree from Moi University and a Law Master's Degree from the University of Nairobi.

Zehrabanu Janmohamed

Senior Counsel Janmohamed acted for John Njoroge, a petitioner who is also challenging Ruto's win. In court, she argued that the commission's chairperson should be prevented from overseeing elections in the future.

Janmohamed holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University College London.

Githu Muigai

The former Attorney General was the lawyer to IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati and defended the chairperson's integrity and conduct in the General Election.

Senior Counsel Muigai holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law from the University of Nairobi and a PhD from the same institution.

He also has a Master's Degree in International Law from Columbia University School of Law.

Former Attorney General Githu Muigai appearing at the Supreme Court for IEBC on August 31, 2022
Former Attorney General Githu Muigai appearing at the Supreme Court for IEBC on August 31, 2022
Judiciary

Paul Muite

The dissenting four commissioners led by IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang'aya, Irene Masit, and Francis Wanderi were represented by Paul Muite.

The four disowned the presidential election results announced by Chebukati.

Muite graduated from the University of London with a Bachelor of Law. He also has a Diploma from the Kenya School of Law

Julie Soweto

Julie Soweto represented Raila Odinga in the presidential petition. She argued that the IEBC system was tampered with by Venezuelan national, Jose Camargo who altered Forms 34A.

The Kenya High Alumni holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi and a Law Master's Degree from the University of Pretoria.

Melissa Ng'ania 

The 38-year-old represented President-elect William Ruto in the presidential petition. In 2017, she also represented outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Ng'ania is a proud holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Law from Makerere University.

James Orengo

The Siaya Senator appeared for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The Senior Counsel challenged Ruto's victory.

Orengo graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Law Degree.

Siaya Governor and Senior Counsel James Orengo giving his submissions at the Supreme Court on August 31, 2022
Siaya Governor, Senior Counsel James Orengo giving his submissions at the Supreme Court on August 31, 2022
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