[Judge Isaac Lenaola in a past event. Lawyer Ondieki Oriku claims his vote was crucial in Raila Odinga’s petition. Photo/Nation]
Lawyer Oriku Ondeki says Supreme Court judge Isaac Lenaola saved opposition leader Raila Odinga from another court humiliation.
Four Supreme Court judges ruled in favour of Odinga’s petition that challenged victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta in August 8 elections.
With Chief Justice David Maraga and his deputy Philomena Mwilu showing their stand even during the proceedings, it was Lenaola to break the tie.
“It was evident that Maraga and Mwilu were more concerned with the process rather than outcome and Smokin Wanjala was keen to overturn his 2013 miseries,” Oriku says.
He adds:”It was Lenaola who broke the tie because he had not shown his standing. If he was easily convinced, they we would have had a tie and hence Uhuru’s victory would have been upheld.”
A publication by the Daily Nation claimed that Jubilee leadership was keen to influence one of the judges who is believed to be Lenaola.
In their ruling Justice Njoki Ndung’u and Jacton Ojwang maintained that elections were free and fair and that the voting process was not tampered with.