Revealed: 41 Lawyers Representing Raila At Supreme Court

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party presidential candidate, Raila Odinga has publicised the entire list of lawyers that will represent him and his running mate, Martha Karua, as they seek to invalidate William Ruto's election win at the Supreme Court of Kenya.

Raila's Presidential Secretariat Spokesman, Makau Mutua, released a list of 41 lawyers on Wednesday, August 24 with one goal, to make sure his petition at the Supreme Court is upheld.

The counsel will be led by Siaya governor-elect, Senior Counsel James Orengo, and assisting him is Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, SC Philip Murgor and SC Okong'o Omogeni.

Siaya governor-elect, James Orengo. /FILE

The case management team is led by Raila Odinga's long-time lawyer, Paul Mwangi, and is composed of Jackson Awele, Julie Soweto, Velma Maumo, Prof Ben Sihanya, Fred Orego, Dan Maanzo, and Tom Macharia.

The legal team also consists of Tony Moturi, Dr Judy Oloo, Celestine Opiyo, Arnold Oginga, Barbara Malowa, Addah Awiti, Justus Jura, Leonard Okanda, Plister Omondi and Winnie Makaba.

Others are Jerusah Michael, Deborass Bubi, George Ouma, Edward Ambala, Geoffrey Sore, Naila Salim, Tabitha Wathuti, John Njomo, Jacqueline Njoroge, Speranza Nywaira, Kinyua, Hannington Amol, Ndegwa Njiiru, Mathews Okoth, Kennedy Wanyanga, Kevin Katisya.

However, it is the inclusion of Orengo that raised eyebrows given that he was elected to a public office. Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi wondered how legislators were chosen to represent clients in a presidential election petition.

"The Supreme Court must confront the burning constitutional question as to whether Governors, Senators and MPs-Elect can engage in the practice of law contrary to the Constitution and appear for parties in the Presidential petition? The courts have variously said: NO," he tweeted.

Backing up his sentiments, renowned city lawyer, Donald Kipkorir indicated that Article 77 of the Constitution bars state officers from engaging in other gainful employment.

"Lawyers who are Senators and MPs break this Constitutional provision with impunity whenever they practice law. EACC, DPP, and LSK should enforce this article," he urged, much to the denial of Nowrojee.

Raila had called upon the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to avail all the material including electronic documents, devices and equipment for the presidential election within 48 hours.

He also wants the Supreme Court to declare that the unconstitutionality, non-compliance, illegalities, irregularities and improprieties in the Presidential Election were substantial and significant in that they affected the presidential election results.

In addition, he wants the court to declare that the August 9 general elections were not conducted in accordance with the Constitution and the applicable law rendering the declared result invalid, null and void.

Raila also wants the court to declare that Ruto was not validly declared as the president-elect and that the declaration is invalid, null and void.

He also wants the IEBC to conduct a fresh election in strict conformity with the Constitution and the Elections Act.

Raila also wants the court to declare that IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati committed election irregularities, illegalities in the tightly contested polls and malpractices and a report on the same sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for purposes of prosecution.

The IEBC has since filed documents requested by the petitioners challenging the presidential election results and among them include copies of all the documents used to declare the results such as Forms 34A, Forms 34B and Form 34C.

Supreme Court judges set to hear presidential election petitions. /CITIZEN DIGITAL