[Ekuru Aukot in a past event. Gideon Mamboleo says he may have sent Raila Odinga to unprecedented political retirement following his High Court case. Photo/Standard]
Although not much was known about him until he declared his interest in race for presidency, Ekuru Aukot may after all be a blessing in disguise to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
A lawyer by profession from the University of Nairobi and Warwick in UK, Aukot is however, a familar face within the legal corridors owing to the face he helped draft Kenya' new constitution.
But his decision to seek inclusion in the presidential repeat poll may have permanently 'killed' opposition leader Raila Odinga's dream to lead the country, says Gideon Mamboleo.
"He took the case to High Court and surprisingly it is Uhuru Kenyatta who was opposing him. Had the court dismissed his application, Odinga's bid would be intact," he says.
Contrary to expectations of many, Aukot joined the race in which Odinga had withdrawn hence complicating matters for Odinga.
Ealier, Odinga had bowed out of the race with expectations that IEBC would postpone elections based on Supreme Court ruling of 2013 that indicated only a petitioner and a President-elect should participate in presidential election in case of nullification.
But the major High Court ruling may have thrown Odinga off balance and Mamboleo terms it regrettable.
"Ekuru's case which turned to be positive affected Raila. In my own opinion, we may never again see him on the presidential race."