Charles Nyaga Njeru v Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission & Another [2013] KEMC 79 (KLR)
The bottom line
#A Kenyan election court ruled that petitions cannot be amended after 28 days, but scrutiny of ballots can still be requested during the hearing.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Jurisdiction to amend an election petition outside 28 days
The court has no power to grant leave to amend outside the 28-day period; the amendment sought was incompetent
After reviewing the Elections Act and electoral laws, the court found no provision conferring discretion to amend a petition beyond the 28 days fixed by Section 76(2) of the Elections Act and Article 87(2) of the Constitution. Section 76(4) permits amendment only within the time for presenting a petition. Section 80(1)(d) and Article 159(2)(d) cannot be invoked where the court lacks mandate in the first place.
Availability of Rule 20 extension of time
Rule 20 is unavailable because the 28-day period is set by the Act and the Constitution, not by the rules
Rule 20 permits extension only of time limited by the rules or by the court. The petitioner's time to amend was limited by the substantive statute and Constitution, so the rule-based discretion cannot resurrect it. The petitioner also failed to act with speed after service to obtain forms 35 within the window.
Proper avenue for retallying/scrutiny
Scrutiny or retally may be ordered during the hearing under Section 82(1) of the Elections Act and Rules 32 and 33, on a laid basis
The 2nd respondent correctly pointed out that retallying ought to have been sought by application under Rule 32, not by amendment. Section 82(1) allows the court, on its own motion or on application, to order scrutiny during the hearing; Rule 33 confines scrutiny to disputed polling stations and requires a basis to be laid. The court would not act on blanket prayers.
Application of Article 159(2)(d) overriding principle
The principle does not displace electoral procedural rules; it only bars undue regard to technicalities
The petitioner relied on Section 80(1)(d) of the Elections Act, akin to Article 159(2)(d). The court, associating itself with the Supreme Court in Raila Odinga, held that the principle should not be read to oust procedural rules; otherwise chaos akin to a village baraza would enter the courts.
Legal principles established
#- An election petition may only be amended with leave of the election court within the 28-day period prescribed for filing the petition; no provision permits amendment outside that window
- Rule 20 extension of time does not apply where time is limited by the substantive statute or the Constitution
- Article 159(2)(d) does not oust procedural rules; courts should not pay undue regard to them but the rules still apply
Court orders
#- 1.The petitioner's application dated 17/05/2013 is dismissed with costs to the respondents
- 2.The matter to proceed for finalization of the pre-trial conference
- 3.The petitioner may file an application for retallying/scrutiny at any time during the hearing if he deems necessary
- 4.Hearing of the petition to start on 24/06/2013 on a day-to-day basis up to 28/06/2013 apart from Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
- 5.Counsels to request their clients to carry national identity cards; ballot boxes to be availed in court in the event retally or scrutiny is ordered
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Elections Act, 2011 (Section 80) and the Election (Parliamentary and County Elections) Petition Rules, 2013, the court sitting as an election court under Article 87 of the Constitution
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Charles Nyaga Njeru v Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission & Another [2013] KEMC 79 (KLR)", Case Analysis (2013). Election Petition (Mitheru Ward) — notice of motion dated 17/05/2013. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/kemc/2013/79/eng@2013-05-28
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.