2 killed in protests as Uhuru win validated

Nairobi. Kenya’s Supreme Court yesterday validated the election victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta, sparking opposition pro

In the run-up to the vote, a top election official fled the country, saying the poll would not be credible, and IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati himself said he could not guarantee a free and fair election.

Election day was marred by chaos in opposition strongholds, with polling stations unable to open in 25 constituencies.

The boycott handed Kenyatta a landslide victory of 98 percent, although turnout was only 39 percent.

This time, Odinga and his National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition did not go to court to challenge the second election, but a former politician and two rights activists did.

They pointed to procedural questions, the toxic democratic environment, and Chebukati’s own questioning of the process.

However the six-judge bench dismissed the petitions in a matter of minutes.

- ‘Decision under duress’ -

In a statement, Odinga said the ruling “did not come as a surprise”, nor did it alter his opposition to a government he regards as illegitimate.

“It was a decision taken under duress. We do not condemn the court, we sympathise with it,” he said. News of the court’s decision sparked celebrations in Kenyatta’s strongholds.

“Let Nasa people now go and mourn quietly and allow us to celebrate. They were laughing last time, today it is our turn,” said Jackson Mandago the governor of Uasin Gishu county. “We are happy that we will not have another election until 2022.” (AFP)