Opposition leader, Raila Odinga. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
Supreme Court judges yesterday added flesh to the skeletal unanimous ruling that dismissed two petitions that sought to challenge the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the October 26 rerun.
In the comprehensive judgment, the judges cast a rather uncomfortable glare on Odinga's legal team with their observation that the veteran opposition leader did not withdraw from the presidential race as required by the law.
According to them, the letter that Odinga wrote to the IEBC informing it of his withdrawal was only a notification of withdrawal but not a withdrawal in itself.
This begs the question; was Raila Odinga misadvised by his legal team led by renowned lawyer Senator James Orengo.
Orengo confidently argued that Raila's letter was enough and he(Raila) was not under any obligation to append his signature on Form 24 A as required by the law.
The implication of Raila's unprocedural withdrawal was that the 2013 Supreme Court ruling that called for fresh nominations after a candidate abandons an election would not apply.
No doubt that this reasoned judgment will leave an ugly stain on the spectacular careers of the bright legal minds that were part of Raila's legal team.