CJ David Maraga. [Photo| Nairobi News]
Supreme Court Chief Justice David Maraga has directed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and President Uhuru Kenyatta to file their responses to the presidential petitions challenging the October 26 election by Sunday evening.While giving the directive on Wednesday, Maraga noted that the responses plus the submissions should be filed with the registry and served to the other parties by Sunday 5pm.The Chief Justice further directed that the submissions should be 30 pages of at least 12 points font and double-spaced.“The respondents should file and serve their responses to the petition together with their submissions within four days of service in accordance with rule 11 of the Supreme Court presidential election petition rules,” Maraga ordered.Extra applications were limited to five pages.“Any party wishing to be admitted to the petition as amicus curiae pursuant to rule 54 of the Supreme Court rules 2012, file and serve its application with the amicus brief limited to five pages of at least font 12 double spacing by 5pm Monday November 13, 2017,” the CJ directed.The petitions challenging Uhuru's victory include one filed by Njonjo Mue together with Khelef Khalifa, another by former assistant minister Harun Mwau.
The third petition was filed by Institute for Democratic Governance, which seeks to find National Super Alliance leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang’ula and Senator James Orengo liable for damages and loss ahead of the repeat poll.The highest court in the land is expected to deliver its ruling on petitions by November 20.