Court delivers Kenya election date ruling

FROM LEFT: Appellate Judges Kalpana Rawal, Erastus Githinji, Hannah Okwengu, David Maranga and Martha Koome.

What you need to know:

THE RULINGS:

  • Justice David Maraga: Next polls to be held in March 2013.
  • Justice Kalpana Rawal: Next General Election to be held in March 2013.
  • Justice Hannah Okwengu: Election to be held 60 days after expiry of Parliament in January 14, 2013.  Next polls in March 2013.
  • Justice Erastus Githinji: The next General Election should be held in March 2013. IEBC date of March 4, 2013 should be adhered to.
  • Justice Martha Koome: Elections should be on or before January 15, 2013

The Court of Appeal is currently ruling on the case in which lobby groups sought a determination on the date of the next General Election.

Justice Martha Koome has ruled that the polls should be held on or before January 15, 2013. The judge ruled that Parliament’s life should not exceed a five-year cycle.

Justice Koome said the House should be dissolved on November 14, 2012.  

She ruled that the High Court misinterpreted the Constitution and the two alternatives given by court were unconstitutional. The judge declared them null and void.

Justice Koome said the President has no powers to dissolve Parliament.