The shocking amount of money lawyers in 2017 presidential petition will share amongst themselves

According to reports, up to KSh1 billion in legal fees is up for grabs by top lawyers who are representing different parties in the ongoing presidential election petition filed by the National Super Alliance at the Supreme Court on the night Friday, August 18.On Saturday, August 27, the seven-judge bench held a pre-trial conference to set the rules of engagement, with the legal teams representing the parties to the petition disagreeing on a number of issues forcing the judges to intervene and make a ruling before the commencement of the case.The seven judges have until September 1 to rule in the case in which opposition leader Raila Odinga alleges computer hacking and fraud handed victory to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta.Odinga challenged his last election defeat in 2013, but lost in court. In 2007 widespread and violent street protests followed the declaration of Odinga's loss and on Monday a rights group said police had once again used excessive force to crush opposition protests following this month's vote.Senior Counsel and Siaya Senator James Orengo who represented Nasa in most of the pre-election court cases will guide the petitioners legal team.He will be assisted by Otiende Amollo who quit his position as Chairman of Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) to enter politics -he is the Rarieda MP-elect.More than 20 other lawyers make the team.The first responded, IEBC, is being represented by respected lawyer Paul Muite who is also a senior counsel. Also in the team is orator PLO Lumumba and others including in-house lawyers.Lawyer Issa Mansur will hold brief for Chebukati who has been named the second responded in the all-important petition.Senior counsels Paul Muite and Lucy Kambuni lead the IEBC which has five other lawyers while the commission’s chairman Wafula Chebukati appointed senior counsel PLO Lumumba to lead lawyers Kamau Karori, Issa Mansur and Peter Wanyama.