IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati has announced that the first batch of ballot papers that will be used in the August 9 general elections will be arriving in the country today amid the ongoing ballot printing saga involving Bungoma senator Moses Wetang’ula.
According to him, the 132 million ballot papers will be received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and not any other entrances that have been suggested by Azimio leaders.
“Today, we are receiving the first batch of ballot papers arriving today. All ballot papers will arrive from JKIA. No ballot papers are arriving from Uganda,” Chebukati said
Chebukati however noted that the commission is an independent body that does its work without favor and fear adding that it is only answerable to the constitution and laws of the land.
“I want to confirm to you that IEBC is an independent institution. We do our work without fear or favor in accordance with the law. We are not directed by any individual, authority or any institution. We are only answerable only to the constitution, the law of the land and whatever we do in terms of regulations and policies,” he said.
Chebukati further said that a lot of misinformation and disinformation have been going on this week but some of the raised concerns will be addressed through a press briefing later.
“You may be unhappy with us but so long as we are following the law we are not worried and that is why this week I have seen a lot of misinformation, disinformation, a lot of media spinning stories running around about things that are not true,” Chebukati said.
Wetang’ula is facing allegations of having links with a Greece company, Inform Lykos, that was awarded a Kshs 3 billion tender to print ballot papers and the voter register for the elections with Azimio-OKA expressing fear that that is a gesture of plans to rig presidential elections.
He is said to have met with the three Greek individuals believed to be officials of the printing company in January last year before they were awarded the printing tender in October. The officials were disguised as investors interested in Bungoma county and the senator had written letters to them inviting them over for a week-long tour.
He is further said to have influenced the tender awarding by “lobbying and writing to the Greek Embassy to facilitate the travel plans of his confidants to the European country.” Azimio raised the concerns in a letter addressed to IEBC and EACC.
Wetang’ula has however denied the claims of knowing the three officials of Inform Lykos and even writing any letters to them and the Greece Embassy noting that ODM was just playing politics after sensing defeat. He is however planning to sue those ODM leaders over the issue
“I have instructed SC Ahmednasir aka “The Mullah” to take legal action against Odm desperadoes to stop their reckless inanity against Weta & KK. Watajua hawajui!!” Wetang’ula said in a tweet.
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