Supreme Court upholds Uhuru's election as president

Uhuru Kenyatta displays the presidential results certificate issued by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Issack Hassan March 9, 2013. The Supreme Court March 30, 2013 upheld the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya's fourth president. FILE

The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya's fourth president.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said Mr Kenyatta and William Ruto were validly elected as President and Deputy President respectively.

"It is the decision that the third and fourth respondents were validly elected," Dr Mutunga said.

The judgement paves way for the swearing in ceremony of Mr Kenyatta set for April 9 at the Kasarani Gymnasium in Nairobi.

The Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia said the government will gazette Tuesday, April 9 as a public holiday when Mr Kenyatta will be sworn in as president.

"The rehearsals will begin on Monday. We have adopted the programme we had earlier on,” said Mr Kimemia Saturday.

Martha Karua, who was a presidential candidate in the March 4 General Election, lauded the Supreme Court's decision.

"It is great that the first and most contested decision of the Supreme Court was unanimous. It is a good start for the court," she said.

Below is text of nation.co.ke live coverage.

17:10 Judges leave the court.

17:09 CJ: Supreme Court has discharged its constitutional mandate.

17:08 Dr Mutunga thanks parties to the petition for their contribution to jurisprudence on election issues.

17:06 Attorney General Githu Muigai thanks the Supreme Court judges for their determination of the presidential election.

17:05 Dr Mutunga says detailed judgement to be issued within two weeks.

17:04 Dr Mutunga says Kenyatta and Ruto were validly elected.

17:04 CJ: General Election was free and fair.

17:03 BREAKING NEWS: CJ says Supreme Court has reached a unanimous decision.

17:01 The Court Clerk invites the CJ to issue the judgement.

17:00 Court is in session. Media are allowed one minute to take photos.

16:59 The judges make their way to the chamber.

16:53 Nakumatt Supermarket, City Hall Way branch closed minutes before Supreme Court issues judgement.

Nakumatt Supermarket, City Hall Way branch closed minutes before Supreme Court issues judgement March 30, 2013. ZADOCK ANGIRA

16:38 Supreme Court judges Ibrahim Mohammed, Jackton Ojwang, Njoki Ndung'u, Phlip Tunoi, Smokin Wanjala and Chief Justice Willy Mutunga arrive at the Supreme Court.

16:33 Jubilee's Charity Ngilu enters the courtroom, chats with Dan Maanzo.

16:30 Ms Shollei ushers lawyers into the courtroom, Nation's John Ngirachu reports.

16:25 Media setting up at the Supreme Court.

Media setting up at the Supreme Court March 30, 2013. JOHN NGIRACHU

16: 21 Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the Cord to hold a press conference at Mr Odinga's office one hour after the judgement, says the PM's spokesman Dennis Onyango.

16:20 IEBC lawyer Paul Nyamodi arrives at the Supreme Court.

16:18 "The lawyers to the parties have been personally contacted and advised to be seated in court at 4.45pm," Ms Shollei says.

16:07 US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godek and his Britain's Christian Turner have urged Kenyans to respect the Supreme Court's judgement and maintain peace.

“Told today I'm "conspicuously quiet"; seems I can't win! Waiting in for #SCoK ruling like all Kenyans: peacefully accept ruling as final,” Dr Turner said on Twitter.

“Supreme Court: Historic moment for Kenya today: urge everyone to respect the court ruling and keep the  peace," Mr Godek said.

16:00 Mr Kenyatta's lawyer Fred Ngatia arrives at the Supreme Court.

Uhuru Kenyatta's lawyer Fred Ngatia arrives at the Supreme Court March 30, 2013. JOHN NGIRACHU

15:58 Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court Gladys Shollei expected to address a news conference at 4pm.

15:50 It is expected that the Supreme Court will deliver its judgement at 5pm.

15:45 The Supreme Court has told lawyers to be seated at 4.45pm ahead of delivering its judgement on the presidential election petition.