African jurists arrive for Kenya presidential petition hearing

In Summary

•The 2022 Trial Observation Mission will be headed by the Rtd Chief Justice of the Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Justice Mohammed Chande Othman.

•They will also analyse the role and independence of the Judiciary in examining the electoral disputes and review the socio-political climate in the run-up to the Petition.

A High-Level Panel of notable African Jurists has arrived in Kenya to observe the proceedings of the 2022 presidential election petition.

The 2022 Trial Observation Mission will be headed by the Rtd Chief Justice of the Republic of Tanzania, Justice Mohammed Chande Othman.

The Jurists are Members of the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum.

Other delegation members include Lady Justice Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza of the Supreme Court of Uganda, Lady Justice Ivy Kamanga from Supreme Court of Appeal of Malawi.

Justice Moses Chinhengo from Court of Appeal, Lesotho, and Justice Henry Boissie Mbha, President Electoral Court of South Africa.

The jurists are expected to attend all Supreme Court hearings, monitor and document the presidential election petition based on International human rights standards of fair trial standards.

They will also analyse the role and independence of the Judiciary in examining the electoral disputes and review the socio-political climate in the run-up to the Petition.

At the end of the trial observation, the observers will develop a comprehensive report aiming at contributing to a more professional, independent, impartial, and accountable Judiciary, a more independent legal profession, and better adherence to the rule of law and international legal standards concerning the resolution of electoral disputes.

The Observation Mission will include bilateral meetings before the hearings with the Parties to the Petition, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the Attorney General.