Nasa, Jubilee leaders react after ballots appeals ruling

Court of Appeal judges, from left, Jamila Mohammed, Alnashir Visram, Erastus Githinji, Roselyne Nambuye and James Otieno Odek deliver a ruling on July 20, 2017 in which they overturned a High Court judgement on the printing of presidential ballot papers. Jubilee and Nasa politicians have reacted differently to the ruling. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Jubilee MPs lauded the ruling and warned the opposition against rejecting the decision.
  • Mr Tuju welcomed the Court of Appeal ruling on the printing of presidential ballot papers.
  • Politicians allied to the opposition coalition have expressed dissatisfaction with appeals court ruling.

Politicians from the Jubilee Party and the opposition coalition Nasa have expressed clashing views following the Court of Appeal ruling Thursday in which judges overturned a High Court judgment blocking Dubai-based Al Ghurair firm from printing presidential ballot papers.

In its ruling, the second-highest court in the land said the High Court erred in granting orders on the grounds of public participation.

In response, Jubilee MPs lauded the ruling and warned the opposition against rejecting the decision.

Othaya MP Mary Wambui said that rejecting the ruling is likely to cause chaos in the country.

Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura also supported the ruling.

MISTAKEN

"If you thought you would win the elections through the courts, then you are mistaken," he said, in reference to Nasa.

And speaking at Jubilee headquarters in Nairobi, Secretary-General Raphael Tuju welcomed the Court of Appeal ruling.

Mr Tuju accused Nasa presidential flag-bearer Raila Odinga of discrediting independent institutions ahead of the August polls.

However, politicians allied to the opposition coalition have expressed dissatisfaction with the appeals court ruling.

Jubilee leaders from Kisii also welcomed the ruling, describing it as victory for justice.

Party branch Secretary-General Isaac Motari said time was fast running out and the IEBC must be allowed to go ahead with preparations for the polls.

“We cannot afford to live in courts when all what Kenyans now want is free and fair polls,” he told the Nation.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Senator Chris Obure, the Jubilee candidate for Kisii governor, and Samuel Nyangeso, the Jubilee party chairman.

NOT HAPPY

Speaking in his rural home in Nyamira County, ODM National Treasurer Timothy Bosire said that as result of the ruling Kenyans are not guaranteed a free, fair and democratic poll in August.

“All that we wanted is not a process that seems to favour Jubilee or one that supports Nasa but one that is fair and acceptable to all Kenyans,” he said.

Kisii County ODM chairman Kerosi Ondieki also questioned the rationale behind the ruling.

He said Kenyans are more interested in justice than the time frame.

“Kenyans wanted a fair process in this, nothing else,” Mr Ondieki said.