On the 1st of September, 2017 the Supreme Court of Kenya annulled the Presidential election held on the 8th of August 2017 and ordered a re-run within 60 days. The ruling was made as a result of a petition by the leader of the opposition, Raila Odinga, in which he sought nullification of the results of the elections on the basis that it was marred by breaches of the law and many irregularities.

In annulling the elections, the court per, Maraga CJ writing the majority judgment in 4 - 2 decision said: "Taking the totality of the entire evidence, we are satisfied that the elections were not conducted in accordance to the dictates of the constitution".

In its ruling the court emphasised that the re-run be conducted " in conformity with the Constitution and the applicable laws". In so holding the court affirmed that the credibility of the Kenyan elections would be judged by the extent to which they comply with constitutional principles.