Judiciary Issues Update On Time Of Supreme Court Verdict
Chief Justice Martha Koome had revealed on Friday, September 2 that the apex court would communicate in advance regarding the time at which the judgement will be delivered.
Marvin Chege 
The Judiciary has issued its update regarding the time of the Supreme Court verdict after Kenyans expressed concerns on why the court did not give the exact time as it had promised.
In a notice, the apex court revealed that the final ruling on the presidential petition filed by Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, will be delivered at 12 pm.
"Take notice that the judgement in this petition will be delivered on Monday, September 5, 2022, at 12.00 noon at the Supreme Court of Kenya Milimani Law Courts," read the notice in part.
Chief Justice Martha Koome had revealed on Friday, September 2 that the apex court would communicate in advance regarding the time at which the judgement will be delivered.
The seven judges at the Supreme Court on September 2, 2022. /COURTESY
Constitutional lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi was among the first to pressure the seven-judge bench to issue its update on when the country should expect the historic judgement.
Raila had filed a petition at the court seeking to have the declaration of the president-elect, William Ruto's victory overturned.
“6.10 AM on 5th September 2022...and CJ Koome is yet to communicate to the country the hour when the Supreme Court will deliver judgment on the presidential petition.
“In 2013 and 2017, the Supreme Court gave the decision for upholding or nullifying the Presidential election. The same is usually 3 to 5 pages long. The reasons for the decision are delivered by the Court 2 to 3 months down the road,” he tweeted.
Koome, alongside Deputy CJ Philomena Mwilu, and Justices Smokin Wanjala, Mohamed Ibrahim, Njoki Ndungu, Isaac Lenaola and William Ouko, had retreated to an undisclosed location on Friday after the hearings concluded, to write their judgement.
According to the Constitution, the Supreme Court must deliver its judgement 14 days after the date the petitions have been filed, which in this case on Monday, September 5.
"Probably one reason why the CJ is unable to tell Kenyans and the rest of the world the time when the Supreme Court will deliver the Presidential petition judgment is because she is facing a divided court and is trying hard to create unanimity of all 7 judges," the lawyer added.
Both Raila and Ruto have said that they will accept the verdict of the apex court.
Police To Close Roads Ahead Of Supreme Court Verdict
Acting Inspector General of police Noor Gabow had noted that the National Police Service (NPS) will close three roads, two hours before the time given by the court.
Ngong road will be closed at the junction of Ngong Road 1st Avenue (opposite NHIF). No motorists will be allowed to access CBD through Kenyatta Avenue via Cathedral Road and will be diverted to Haile Selassie Avenue.
Cathedral Road/Milimani Ngong Road which accesses Milimani Law Courts will be closed at Kenyatta Avenue/ Valley road Junction (NSSF). Only vehicles heading to the court will be allowed with all other motorists advised to use Valley Road.
Cathedral road/Haile Selassie Avenue junction will be closed and Motorists are advised to use an alternative route of Haile Selassie/Ngong Road.
"We wish to advise the general public to avoid gathering at the Supreme Court during the Ruling or congregating in public gatherings but follow the proceedings from the comfort of their homes.
"Access to the Supreme Court shall be limited to the public, and all roads leading to the court premises shall remain closed. Traffic police officers shall be deployed adequately to direct traffic around the Court facility," Gabow stated in part.
Gabow further assured that there will be peace whichever way the ruling goes, whether it is against the decision by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) or for it.
Security has already been beefed up in six counties ahead of the verdict, which are considered as hotspots for violence. The counties mapped by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) as possible epicentres of violence include; Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Kericho, Mombasa and Uasin Gishu.
