Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed receiving a list for Kibra by-election from Jubilee party amid controversy.
Jubilee party Secretary General Raphael Tuju dismissed the list, insisting that it was fake. He denied claims that the list originated from the party.
"This letter that is making rounds within social media outlets is FAKE. Please note that any communication regarding the Kibra Constituency by-election will be done through the official Party organ," the party said.
And in a tweet on Tuesday, IEBC confirmed that it indeed received the letter, adding that they have sent a copy back to the headquarters following claims that it's fake.
"@IEBCKenya received a letter, on Monday 26th August 2019 at 5pm, forwarding names of aspirants of Jubilee Party for the Kibra by election. However, it has come to the attention of the Commission that Jubilee Party has denied authoring the said letter and termed it as FAKE," read the tweet.
"Consequently the Commission has written to the party forwarding a copy of the letter for the party's information and further action."
The list had five aspirants purportedly interested in the party's nominations and former footballer McDonald Mariga was among them, a move that raised questions on social media.
State House Digital Innovation Secretary Dennis Itumbi insisted that the letter was not fake, adding that NEB had sat and received applications from the five.
Itumbi, a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto, seemed to contradict Tuju, another indication that the party is still hugely divided.
"Asante @IEBCKenya for confirming a letter was delivered to your registry. Asante for also confirming that you do NOT have any official communication from Jubilee denying authenticity of the letter. Let the Party Secretariat and Party Elections Board now speak. Vindicated!" he said in a tweet.
Jubilee announced that it will take part in Kibra by-elections but Tuju did not give timelines on when it will pick a candidate. The party will face ODM in the race to fill a gap left by Ken Okoth, who died last month.