The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is bracing for a showdown in the corridors of justice as the Raila Odinga-led Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party prepares to file a presidential petition.
Raila rejected the outcome of the presidential vote in the 2022 General Election citing mismanagement of the polls by IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati.
According to Raila, contrary to the law, Chebukati exercised absolute powers going ahead tpo declare the presidential winner without the consensus of a majority of the IEBC commissioners.
"Chebukati did not entertain any discussions of the results... we know what happened next. Our view in Azimio is clear; the figures announced by Chebukati are null and void and must be quashed by a court of law. He acted with gross impunity and total disregard,"said Raila.
He hinted at seeking justice through legal means, the main stop being at the Supreme Court.
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As the political outfit pieces together evidence before formally filing the petition, the electoral agency is also gathering its battery of lawyers to appear on its behalf during the petition.
To lead IEBC's legal team is former Attorney Justice Githu Muigai.
Muigai has previously appeared for IEBC including in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) case that ended at the apex court where it was quashed.
Among the lawyers the forme AG will be partnering with to defend the IEBC include Kamau Karori, Abdikadir Mohamed, Eric Gumbo, Wambua Kilonzo and Peter Wanyama.
The team will be facing off with that iof Azimio led by Paul Mwangi, a long-serving legal adviser to the former prime minister.
Others in the Azimio team are Tom Macharia, Desterio Oyatsi, Waweru Gatonye; these lawyers also represented the BBI proponents in court.
Raila and his side has until 2pm on Monday, August 22, to file their petition.
