The petitioners, George Bush and John Kenga, want the court to declare Raila unfit to contest for the country’s top seat, stating that his actions on January 30, 2018, amounted to treason.
In their court documents, the petitioners argue it would be unlawful for the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party presidential aspirant to run for office yet he had taken part in an unlawful act.
Bush and Kenga further asked the court to determine the petition on time before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) clears Raila to run.
They explained that if he was allowed to run, it would create a bad precedent for other candidates.
“The application will be overtaken by events if the sixth and seventh respondents are not immediately barred from participating in any electoral activities until proven guilty,†the petitioners stated.
In a response through his lawyers, Raila asked the court to dismiss the petition stating that the court lacked jurisdiction to make a determination on the case related to treason.
“The issues raised in the application are allegations pertaining treason and, therefore, criminal in nature and this court lacks jurisdiction to hear and determine criminal matters,” Raila argued.
He added that there were no investigations into the matter and he should not be deemed guilty before being charged by the state.
Previously, Raila disclosed that many allies of President Uhuru Kenyatta wanted him charged with treason, adding that the President had mercy on him.
“Uhuru was being told that Raila had crossed the line and that the swearing-in amounted to treason. They told him that I should be charged and hanged at Kamiti prison.
“Uhuru declined the calls. We later met and had a lengthy discussion and we decided Kenya was bigger than all of us,†Raila stated.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM