Legal heavyweights expected to clash during Nasa’s petition
The opposition coalition is expected to file a presidential petition at the Supreme Court before close of business on Friday.
Various sides will be seeking to retain the best legal minds that Kenya has to offer in a bid to convince the seven judges to rule in their favour.
In a repeat of the showdown witnessed in 2013 during the petition filed after the election, it is expected that top lawyer will argue their points during the 14-day window when the seven Supreme Court judges will be hearing the petition.
Back then, Raila Odinga, one of the petitioners, had been represented by lawyer George Oraro.
RETURNING OFFICER
Nasa has in the recent part been engaging the services of lawyers James Orengo, Paul Mwangi and others.
The respondents were the electoral commission, presidential returning officer and chairman of the commission Ahmed Isaack Hassan, and the then President elect Uhuru Kenyatta and deputy William Ruto.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was represented by Mohammed Nyaoga, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, Nani Mungai and Paul Nyamodi, among others.
The commission in its latest legal battles has been represented by among others Paul Muite, PLO Lumumba and Erick Gumbo.
HOOVERING AROUND BOMAS
Fred Ngatia represented Kenyatta while Katwa Kigen represented Ruto. Mr Ngatia was seen hoovering around Bomas of Kenya before the results were released.
Attorney General Githu Muigai’s appeal to be included as amicus curiae (friend of the court) was approved.
That year, there had been three petitions before the Supreme Court and one of them was that of Africog who were represented by lawyer Kethi Kilonzo.
Lawyer Njoroge Regeru had also represented Dennis Itumbi, Moses Kuria and Florence Sergon who sought a determination on inclusion of rejected votes when determining votes cast.