Kenya's Supreme Court orders rerun of disputed presidential election

Kenya's Supreme Court has invalidated the result of last month's contentious presidential election and ordered a new vote, after a legal
challenge by the opposition.

Four out of six judges upheld a petition filed by opposition candidate Raila Odinga, who claimed the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta was fraudulent.

"The presidential election was not conducted in accordance with the constitution, rendering the declared results invalid, null and void," Chief Justice David Maraga said, ordering fresh elections within 60 days.

In a decision that surprised many observers, the court agreed with opposition arguments that the electoral commission had committed irregularities that invalidated the poll. It also raised questions for international monitors, who had declared the election fair.

Odinga was jubilant as he welcomed what he called a "precedent-setting ruling" by the court.

"For the first time in the history of African democratization, a ruling has been made by a court nullifying the election of a president," he said. "This indeed is a very historic day for the people of Kenya and by extension the people of the continent of Africa."