[Opposition leader Raila Odinga in a past event. Lawyer James Orengo says he tricked Uhuru Kenyatta. Photo/Nation]
Lawyer James Orengo says Raila Odinga’s withdrawal from October polls was tactical and will compel Jubilee to go back to drawing board.
Unexpected by many, Odinga bolted out of the presidential race leading to heated debate from among legal experts on the legality of the move.
And Orengo, who was the lead counsel in Odinga’s presidential petition that led to annulment of Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory, says the move was well calculated.
“Don’t panic, our moves are well calculated and we knew these people would come with such draconian laws,” he said adding that withdrawal sealed such loopholes.
He added: “We keep watching them and punish whenever they make errors. We have read the constitution and we understand it. They are now cornered.”
Experts say withdrawal from the race before the timelines given by the constitution would render the laws passed by parliament toothless since they cannot be applied retroactively.
In the new laws, Jubilee had passed a legislation that would allow them to swear in the president in case his competitor withdraws from the race.
Consequently, the new development means that IEBC will be compelled to call for fresh elections regardless of the inclusion of Ekuru Aukot in the presidential race.