Kenya Supreme Court Ordered to Pay Martha Karua Sh2.7 Million for Throwing Out Her Election Petition

The East African Court of Justice has ordered the Supreme Court of Kenya to pay Senior Counsel Martha Karua Sh2.7 million.

Karua moved to the regional court after the country’s highest court declined to hear her petition challenging the election of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.

In a ruling on Monday, the East African Court of Justice noted that the decision by Kenya’s apex court to dismiss her appeal curtailed her right to access justice.

“Consequently, with the utmost respect, we find that the impugned Supreme Court decision did fall short on the said judicial organ’s constitutional duty and curtailed the applicant’s right to access to justice,” the court ruled.

The verdict was issued by a three-judge bench comprising justices Monica Mugenyi, Charles Nyawello, and Charles Nyachae.

The regional court awarded the Nark-Kenya party leader $25,000 (Sh2.75 million), which will attract an interest of six percent annually until the amount is fully paid.

In her case, Karua accused the Supreme Court of failing to uphold the rule of law and knowingly dispensing injustice.

Attorney-General Paul Kihara challenged Karua’s case saying it amounted to an appeal against the Supreme Court’s decision.

Waiguru won the Kirinyaga Governor’s seat in the 2017 elections after garnering 153,353 votes (53 percent) ahead of Karua, who got 116,626 votes (41 percent).