The Judiciary has announced plans to restrict access to the Supreme Court ahead of the hearing of presidential petitions lodged last week.
Speaking to members of the press on Monday, August 29, 2022, Anne Amadi, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, said only four lawyers from each party will be allowed into the court’s Ceremonial Room during the pre-trial and hearing of the presidential petition.
“You saw that the parties had large teams and the numbers will have to be restricted because the space cannot be able to accommodate them,” Amadi said.
“We don’t have to have issues with crowd management during the hearing…Each team will have about four lawyers. The number is still being negotiated.”
Nine petitions were filed by the close of business Monday, August 22, with eight challenging the declaration of Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader William Ruto as the winner of the presidential poll held on August 9.
Ruto last week unveiled a team of 54 lawyers who will represent him in the case, while the main petitioner, Raila Odinga of Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition party, will be represented by a team of 42 advocates.
The respondents and interested parties will also be represented by utmost four lawyers each.
The court will also allow 11 observers and eight law clerks into the chambers.
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.
Supreme Court judges
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.
The pre-trial hearing of the matter is set for tomorrow (Tuesday) from 11:00 am.
