The Supreme Court has called for a new election within 60 days after finding irregularities in the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta in August 2017. The court ruled that the presidential elections were not conducted in accordance with the constitution rendering the result “invalid, null and void.” The court said that President Kenyatta was not elected properly.
Six judges ruled in favour of the petition filed by opposition leader Raila Odinga. Odinga claimed that the electronic voting results were hacked into and manipulated in favour of Kenyatta. Odinga secured 44.7 percent of votes and Kenyatta lead with 54.3 percents, according to election commission figures. Nearly 80 percent of the 19 million registered voters cast their ballots.
Odinga said outside the Supreme Court that this marks a historic moment for Kenyans. “For the first time in the history of African democratisation, a ruling has been made by a court nullifying the irregular election of a president. This is a precedent-setting ruling,” he said.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had said there was a hacking attempt but it failed. International election observers had said they saw no interference with the vote.
Social media users have reacted to the issue.
BREAKING: Order is hereby issued to @IEBCKenya to organise a fresh election within 60 days#ElectionsKE2017
— Mujuni Raymond (@qataharraymond) September 1, 2017
Tell me again how Kenya's democracy has not matured… #ElectionsKE2017
— Mo' (@mohi101) September 1, 2017
Justice be our shield and defender. Back to the polls. #ElectionsKE2017
— Wambura (@rombokins) September 1, 2017
Independent judiciary, strong institutions.. Kenya's Democracy the world has a lot to learn from #ElectionsKE2017 pic.twitter.com/igWeDgDA6k
— Geline Fuko (@geline_gee) September 1, 2017
So insane to make the country go through another election process so soon! #ElectionsKE2017 #Kenya
— Zahra (@ZahraNomadic) September 1, 2017
Just now from my window. Celebrations from Kibera to town after the supreme Court decision #ElectionsKE2017 pic.twitter.com/tIqaNkwUUN
— Alix Masson (@alix_masson) September 1, 2017
All eyes to our Kenyan brothers and sisters who are going to the polls again? #kenyadecides #ElectionsKE2017
— Julius Bizimungu?? (@Julio_Bizimungu) September 1, 2017
#BREAKING #Kenya court says irregularities compromised 'integrity of entire presidential election'
— AFP news agency (@AFP) September 1, 2017
Major from #Kenya:Supreme Court rules in favour of opposition cites major election irrularities in Aug. vote & orders new polls w/i 60 days
— Matina Stevis-Gridneff (@MatinaStevis) September 1, 2017
What!!! #Kenya. This is History!
— Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) September 1, 2017
#Kenya Supreme Court Ruling is a win for the Rule of Law. A win for the Independence of the Judiciary. A win for Democracy in general.
— Lazola (@u_Bhungane) September 1, 2017
By Fundisiwe Maseko
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