The Supreme Court is set to hold a pre-trial conference on Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s petition and seven others challenging the declaration of William Ruto as the winner of the August 9 election. The conference will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 30.
According to Supreme Court Registrar, Letizia Wachira, the aim of the conference is to set the rules of engagement, identify the real issues in dispute, and consider, in advance, issues relating to any arguments regarding the admissibility of any documentary, technical, expert, pre-recorded, digital or electronic evidence including confessions and video, or audio-recorded interviews.
"Take notice that the pre-trial conference has been scheduled for August 30, 2022, at the Milimani Law Courts' ceremonial hall at 1100hrs," Wachira said.
The conference will also be used to determine the length of time each party will use to make submissions and or rebut any evidence that is presented during the hearing.
The status conference is being held on the 8th day of the 14 days that the Supreme Court has constitutionally to hear and determine the petition.
Lawyers representing the petitioner, respondents and other interested parties will have to use their time diligently and prioritise their issues.
Once the oral and closing submissions have been made, the seven judges led by Chief Justice Martha Koome will retreat to prepare their ruling.
Section 27 of the Court’s Procedures on Presidential Election Petitions allows the judges to issue a brief ruling and a comprehensive one within 14 days.
The judgment will be rendered on Monday, September 5 and the judge’s decision is final.
