As Kenya prepares to vote for a new president on August 8 Business Insider SSA profiles the individuals whose roles will dictate a smooth running of the vote.
Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga are the front runners in what is expected to be a very close election
Judge David Maraga- Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court
The jurist has been at post since 2016 and was appointed by President Kenyatta.He is 67 years old and is respected by both sides of the political divide.
Recently issued a warning to the governing Jubilee Party after comments by Kenyatta during a rally after Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission won a case in court.
“When political leaders cast aspersions on the administration of justice based on a misinterpretation of my statements, it has the potential to impair public confidence in our courts, and this concerns me a great deal.”
He will be at the forefront of any post election petition.
Wanyonyi Wafula Chebukati, - Chairman IEBC
The chairman of the IEBC is presiding over his first election since his appointment and will be navigating a slippery slope. The Commission will be implementing several new processes intended to make the election free,fair and efficient . There has be
Mr Joseph Boinnet (Inspector-General of Police)
The Kenyan Police have had a torrid build up with the patches of violence at rallies and the murder of IEBC ICT manager,Chris Msando. Joseph Boinnet has guaranteed that security during and after the election will be at its peak for both election officials and the general public.
Judge Msagha Mbogholi - Chairman of the Judiciary Committee on Elections
The man who could have been Chief Justice heads the JCE and will be at heart of other electoral disputes at the gubernatorial,senatorial and MCA level. Several courts have been set up to expedite the hearing of such cases.