thereby subverting the will of the people. It thus did not administer election in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable manner. [18] They also argue that the IEBC committed massive systemic, and systematic irregularities which go to the very core and heart of holding elections as the key to the expression of the sovereign will and power of the people of Kenya and thus undermined the foundation of the Kenyan system as a Sovereign Republic where the people are sovereign and the very rubric and framework of Kenya as a nation state. (ii) Improper Influence, Corruption, Misconduct and Undue Influence [19] It was the petitioners’ case that the election was marred and significantly compromised by intimidation and improper influence or corruption. They submitted in that regard that with impunity, the 3rd respondent contravened the rule of law and the principles of conduct of a free and fair election through the use of intimidation, coercion of public officers and improper influence of voters. Relying on the averments in the affidavit of Raila Odinga, the petitioners argued that on 2nd August, 2017, the 3rd respondent directly threatened Chiefs in Makueni County for not supporting him. [20] The petitioners also accused the 3rd respondent of sponsoring or causing sponsorship during the election period of publications and advertisements in the print and electronic media as well as on billboards contrary to Section 14 of the Election Offences Act, No. 37 of 2016. Under the guise of launching official state projects and paying reparations to Presidential  Petition  No.  1  of  2017                                                                                                                                                                                                            8  |  P a g e    

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