POLITICS
Ballot tender done deal, IEBC boss Chebukati says
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati (left)and CEO Ezra Chiloba leave Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi after meeting presidential candidates on June 15, 2017. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
By PATRICK LANG’AT
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IN SUMMARY
Dr Aukot proposed that IEBC uses the United Nations to print the ballots.
Mr Tuju also disputed claims that President Kenyatta had met Mr Al-Ghurair.
The electoral agency has said it will not cancel the Sh2.5 billion ballot paper printing contract awarded to a Dubai firm.
This, the agency said, was because the deal had already been signed and that it was way behind its electoral cycle schedule.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati, who addressed the media, minutes after meeting eight presidential candidates and or their representatives, suggested that the deal to print 120 million ballot papers for the high-stakes August 8 polls was a done deal.
“If you look at the timelines we have, actually today we should be doing the artwork for the ballot. So, we do not have time to go into procurement of the ballot tender again,” said Mr Chebukati at the Hotel Intercontinental on Thursday.
CORRUPTION
Mr Chebukati insisted that his office will fire any staff of the commission accused of influencing the tender, which was awarded to Dubai-based Al-Ghurair.
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“If any member of our staff has been involved in corruption or has been involved in any inducement, we will take action. As it stands now, they are just mere allegations,” he said.
Mr Chebukati was speaking minutes after three presidential candidates and or their representatives suggested that there was “general consensus” to cancel the tender.
“There was general consensus among the presidential candidates during our meeting that the IEBC cancels the tender to Al-Ghurair, who media reports suggests has links with the highest office in the land, and award it to a firm not associated with any of the political formations,” said Thirdway Alliance Presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot.
SOUTH AFRICA
Dr Aukot proposed that IEBC uses the United Nations to print the ballots, a body he said will be above the individual political interests.
He called for the disqualification of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his main challenger Raila Odinga from the race over what he said were attempts to influence the tender.
“Jubilee has been accused of improper contact with Al-Ghurair. It has not denied. It has went ahead of accuse Nasa of trying to pitch another firm. I say disqualify both these people because of the likelihood of bias that they have already admitted,” said Dr Aukot