Ex-Attorney General Justin Muturi urges Chief Justice to Fast-track Election Disputes

Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has urged Chief Justice Martha Koome to establish clear timelines for resolving election-related disputes ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In a statement, Muturi said the Judiciary should not wait until the electoral calendar is under pressure before adopting mechanisms to handle disputes, noting that special arrangements had been used during the previous three General Elections to fast-track election-related cases.

He said the experience showed the need to prepare early for election-related disputes.

He called on the Chief Justice to ensure the appropriate judicial mechanism is operational, with clear, strict and transparent guidelines for handling election-sensitive matters.

Muturi argued that election disputes should not be treated like ordinary litigation, where delays can be accommodated indefinitely, warning that late decisions could have consequences for the electoral process.

“The Judiciary must therefore provide certainty to political parties, candidates, the IEBC and the Kenyan public that disputes capable of affecting the electoral process will be handled expeditiously, fairly and impartially,” he stated.

Muturi singled out the dispute surrounding the Linda Mwananchi Movement's party registration, as well as litigation involving electoral technology procurement and logistics before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPRB), as matters requiring timely determination.

He warned that prolonged litigation could create uncertainty and interfere with critical stages of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's preparations for the 2027 polls.

“Under ordinary litigation timelines, such cases can take months to conclude, creating uncertainty and potentially disrupting critical stages of the electoral calendar,” Muturi stated.

The former Attorney General said political and legal interests should be pursued through lawful channels but cautioned against avoidable delays that could frustrate political participation or compromise election preparedness.