All is set for Tuesday's pretrial hearing of the presidential petitions filed at the Supreme Court, the Judiciary has announced.
Speaking to members of the press on Monday, August 29, 2022, Anne Amadi, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, said the hearing will be conducted at the Supreme Court's Ceremonial Room.
All seven judges of the Supreme Court are expected to participate in the process, unlike in 2017 when only six judges took part in the proceedings after Justice Mohamed Ibrahim was taken ill.
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Amadi disclosed that a high-level panel of eminent African jurists led by Tanzanian Chief Justice Justice Rtd Chief Justice of Tanzania Mohammed Chande Othman is in the country to follow the proceedings at the Apex court.
"We have some observers, judges from the commonwealth led by the retired Chief Justice of Tanzania Mohammed Chande Othman among other judges who will be joining us," Amadi said.
K24 Digital has established that other members of the delegation include Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza of the Supreme Court of Uganda, Lady Justice Ivy Kamanga from Supreme Court of Appeal of Malawi, Justice Moses Chinhengo from Court of Appeal, Lesotho, and Justice Henry Boissie Mbha, President Electoral Court of South Africa.
The jurists are members of the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF).
"The eminent jurists will attend all Supreme Court hearings, monitor and document the presidential election petition based on International human rights standards of fair trial standards, analyse the role and independence of the Judiciary in examining the electoral disputes and review the socio-political climate in the run-up to the Petition," the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said in a statement.
At the end of the trial observation, ICJ said, the observers will develop a comprehensive report aiming at contributing to a more professional, independent, impartial, and accountable Judiciary, a more independent legal profession, and better adherence to the rule of law and international legal standards concerning the resolution of electoral disputes.
Presidential petitions
Meanwhile, Amadi said security has been heightened at the Supreme Court ahead of the hearing of eight petitions challenging the election of Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader William Ruto as Kenya's fifth president. The petitions were lodged by eight groups including Ruto's competition Raila Odinga of the Azimio One Kenya coalition.
She said ambulance services will also be available in case of emergencies.
Amadi further noted that only four lawyers from each party will be allowed to access the courtroom in the presidential petition.
