Kenya's Supreme Court annuls presidential election result for irregularities, orders new vote

Source: The Washington Post




By Rael Ombuor September 1 at 6:30 AM

NAIROBI — In the first decision of its kind for Kenya — or all of Africa for that matter — Kenya’s Supreme Court on Friday annulled the president’s Aug. 8 reelection victory citing irregularities and ordered a new vote within 60 days.

The reversal of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s 54 percent win stunned East Africa’s economic powerhouse and a pillar of stability in the fragile region.

The majority 4-2 ruling of the six judges on the bench came in response to a petition filed by challenger Raila Odinga, 72, who alleged widespread fraud in the election, including the hacking of the electoral commission’s computer system. Following the judgment, the court broke into cheers and songs with Odinga raising his fists in the air in celebration.

“This is indeed a very historic day for the people of Kenya and by extension to the people of the continent of Africa,” he said outside the court house. “For the first time in the history of African democratization, a ruling has been made by a court, nullifying irregular election of a president.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/kenya-supreme-court-cancels-presidential-election-result-for-irregularities-orders-new-election/2017/09/01/ceee81d6-8ef4-11e7-84c0-02cc069f2c37_story.html?deferJs=true&outputType=default-article&utm_term=.25b6bac42673