Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto hold rally in Nairobi

President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing a rally at Burma Market on September 1, 2017. PHOTO | PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto on Friday held a rally at Burma Market in Nairobi just hours after the Supreme Court nullified their win.

He used the rally to launch a scathing attack at the Supreme Court for nullifying his win in the August 8 General Election.

Addressing supporters in Swahili, President Kenyatta who was accompanied by his Deputy William Ruto, Garissa Town MP Aden Duale among other Jubilee leaders threw at least two barbs at the court to express his displeasure at the judgement.

In one instance, he called the judges wajuaji (know-it-alls) as he explained to cheering supporters how Jubilee Party had won the majority of elective seats in the General Election.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto and other Jubilee leaders in Burma Market on September 1, 2017. PHOTO | PSCU

“We say ‘thank you’. But there are few people who are sitting there thinking they are know-it-alls. But we have said that because we believe in peace and because we believe we have the law, let them say what they want to say,” he said.
“Those five, six people, because it is Kenyans who will still decide, should wait for us after citizens decide,” added President Kenyatta.

He also explained what title he held after the court declaration.

“The good thing about the law is that previously I was President-elect. Si Maraga na watu yake, hawa wakora hawa amesema ati basi hiyo uchaguzi upotee (But now [Justice] Maraga and his trickster colleagues have said that the election is invalid),” he said.

AFRAID

The crowd cheered as he went on to explain that he is not a president-elect but a full-fledged president.

Mimi tena sio rais mtarajiwa. Sijui kama mnanishika? Maraga ajue ya kwamba sasa ana deal na rais ambaye amekalia kiti. Tumerudi kazini; sasa ni campaign. (I am no longer a president-elect; do you understand me? Let [Justice] Maraga know that he is now dealing with a president on the seat. We are back to work, now we will campaign),” said President Kenyatta.

Insisting that he was not afraid of elections, he repeatedly called on Kenyans to maintain peace. He also promised that he would work with Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to rehabilitate Burma market.

“After two years, you won’t know if you are in Nairobi or London,” he said.

SUPREME COURT

Before he spoke, Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen had also taken a swipe at the Supreme Court.

“We will ensure that you are re-elected and that democracy returns to Kenyans not a kangaroo [court] of few people to decide who should be president,” said Mr Murkomen.

The senator also rebuffed calls by the opposition to disband the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission saying that if the coalition wanted the team sent home, then Jubilee would also push for all Supreme Court judges to be removed.

President Kenyatta had earlier addressed the nation where he said he disagrees with the decision of the Supreme Court to nullify his re-election but accepts and respects it.

He said his win was as a result of “the will of the people”.

"We believe in the rule of law," he said at State House Nairobi.

He also hit out at the judges, saying "six people have decided they will go against the will of the people.