[NASA lawyers in a past event at the Supreme Court. They are said to be instrumental in Raila Odinga’s withdrawal from the presidential race. Photo/Nation]
A team of lawyers who represented opposition leader Raila Odinga in Supreme Court presidential petition engineered his exit from October 26th elections, a source privy to opposition politics intimates.
In unprecedented move, Odinga pulled out of the race on Tuesday leading to uncertainty at least if the existing laws and constitution is anything to go by.
And having explored all options, the lawyers believed that Odinga’s exit would compel IEBC to execute various changes recommended by NASA before an election.
“They explored the law and even made in depth inferences and consequences. The issue still remains that his exit will force a scenario where we shall have fresh polls,” said the source.
The source further says: “It is a win for all parties and apparently, IEBC used Supreme Court ruling of 2013 to gazette the contestants and this gives Odinga an upper hand in his quest.”
Behind the scenes, lawyers James Orengo, Otiende Amollo, Paul Mwangi, Dan Maanzo and Okong’o Omogeni are said to have been tasked to explore the options.
Among the changes Odinga wants in the electoral system is sacking of IEBC chief executive Ezra Chiloba and revocation printing tender awarded to Al Ghurair.