Supreme Court: Ruto Assembles 54 Lawyers To Counter Raila's Petition
The 54 legal experts will be assisted by five technical members
Marvin Chege 
President-elect, William Ruto has revealed a team of 54 lawyers to represent him and the Kenya Kwanza coalition at the Supreme Court after he filed a response to the petition by Azimio la Umoja candidate, Raila Odinga and eight other petitioners challenging his victory.
The 54 legal experts will be assisted by five technical members, who will assist the Kenya Kwanza team in pleading with the Supreme Court to ratify their victory over the Azimio coalition.
The team will be led by Lead Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia and assisting him are Senior Counsels Kioko Kilukumi, and Kiragu Kimani, SC and former Makueni Governor, Prof Kivutha Kibwana.
Deputy President William Ruto (third right) receives outgoing Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana (third left) into Kenya Kwanza. /WILLIAM RUTO
Advocates include Prof Kithure Kindiki, Katwa Kigen, Dr Linda Musumba, Dr Muthomi Thiankolu, Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Elias Mutuma, Omwanza Ombati, Melissa Ngania, Samwel Chepkonga, Ababu Namwamba, Edward Muriu, Wilfred Nyamu Mati, Kipchumba Murkomen and Benson Milimo.
Hillary Sigei, Caroline Jerono, Chris Ayieko, Lilian Wanjiku Nyaga, Hanan Hassan El-Kathiri, Collins Kiprono, Henry Paul Gichana, Monica Nyuguto, lan Chelal, Nthatu Ntoogo, Ummi Bashir, Korir Sing'oei, Duncan Ojwang, Adrian Kamotho and WinRose Njuguna will also be part of the team.
Other advocates include Soipan Tuya, Gladys Shollei, Nais Rab Ambani, Logan Christie, Jane Muhia, Emmanuel Kibet, Rosemary Wanjiku, Charles Nganga, Mbugua Nganga, Alex Wamalwa, Mannaseh Tunneh, Andrew Simiyu, Joseph Anjehi, Jared Mugendi, Githae Mumbura, Ham Lagat, Seth Wekesa, Kithinji Marete, Paul Musyimi, Kiprop Rutto Marimoi, Peter Lagat and Kevin Michuki.
The technical team on the case will comprise Raymond Bett (ICT), Edmond Kiprotich (ICT), Geoffrey Rono (ICT), Godfrey Koech (ICT) and Duncan Kichamu (Statistician).
The legal team will have to counter Raila's 41-member legal team in charge of ensuring that the petition is considered by the apex court. The list was publicised on Wednesday, August 24 by Raila's Presidential Secretariat Spokesman, Makau Mutua.
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.
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 was 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.
Siaya governor-elect, James Orengo. /FILE
