Nairobi - In a rare move that has revealed Africa's growing democracy, Kenya's Supreme Court has annulled the result of last month&...
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Nairobi - In a rare move that has revealed Africa's growing democracy, Kenya's Supreme Court has annulled the result of last month's presidential election, citing irregularities, and ordered a rerun within 60 days.
The election commission had declared incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta the winner by a margin of 1.4 million votes. Raila Odinga, Mr Kenyatta's opponent, said the commission was "rotten" and demanded resignations and prosecutions.
"It is a historic day for the people of Kenya and by extension for the people of the continent of Africa," Odinga added. President Kenyatta said he would respect the court's decision but also branded the judges "crooks".
Other elections in Africa have been annulled or cancelled but this appears to be the first time on the continent that an opposition court challenge against a presidential poll result has been successful.
Chief Justice David Maraga said the 8 August election had not been "conducted in accordance with the constitution" and declared it "invalid, null and void".
Chief Justice David Maraga said the 8 August election had not been "conducted in accordance with the constitution" and declared it "invalid, null and void".
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| Kenya's Landmark Court Ruling |
He said the verdict was backed by four of the six Supreme Court judges. The announcement drew cheers from opposition supporters both inside and outside the courtroom.
The court ruling did not attribute any blame to President Kenyatta's party or campaign.
What did the judges say was wrong?
Justice Maraga said the election commission had failed "to conduct the presidential election in a manner consistent with the dictates of the constitution".
He said the commission had committed irregularities "in the transmission of results", adding that the court would provide details in a full judgment within 21 days.
Dissenting judges said that the Nasa opposition alliance - which had petitioned the Supreme Court - failed to prove claims that the polls had been rigged.
The election sparked days of sporadic protests, in which at least 28 people were killed. The vote had raised fears of major political violence - as was the case after a disputed poll in 2007.
How have the two political sides reacted?
He said: "It is now clear that the entire [electoral commission] is rotten. It is clear that the real election results were never shared with Kenyans. Someone must take responsibility."
Mr Odinga added: "We won the elections and we are going to win them again."
President Kenyatta, in a televised address, said that it was "important to respect the rule of law even if you disagree with the Supreme Court ruling".
He called for calm, saying: "Your neighbour will still be your neighbour, regardless of what has happened... My primary message today to every single Kenyan is peace. Let us be people of peace."
Mr Kenyatta, 55, added: "We are ready to go back again to the people with the same agenda that we delivered to the people." The president was more combative later at a rally of supporters in a market in Nairobi.
He referred to Justice Maraga and his fellow judges as wakora (crooks in Swahili), saying they had "decided to cancel the election". He warned the chief justice that as the poll had been annulled he was now the president again, not president-elect.
"Do you understand me? Maraga should know that he is now dealing with the serving president," Mr Kenyatta said.
"We are keeping a close eye on them. But let us deal with the election first. We are not afraid."
And the electoral commission?
Chairman Wafula Chebukati noted the ruling and said there would be "changes to personnel" ahead of the new election. He invited the director of public prosecutions "to prosecute any of our staff that may have been involved in violations".
But he ruled out resigning, saying he had not been accused of wrongdoing. - BBC
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