Nasa principal Musalia Mudavadi. [Photo/mediamax]
Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi has sensationally claimed that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s younger brother, Muhoho Kenyatta, was the local agent of the company awarded the tender for the printing of ballot papers.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission awarded Al Ghurair Print and Publishing Company Limited the Sh2.5 billion tender, which opposition leaders have claimed was influenced by top Jubilee leaders.
“We want President Uhuru Kenyatta to come clean on his and his family’s links with the Dubai firm and state his interests in the contract that the firm was awarded. The interest, in our view, is clear. The President and his Jubilee team are looking for a firm that can supply extra ballots secretly as was the case in 2013,” said Mudavadi, a National Super Alliance (Nasa) principal.
Muhoho Kenyatta, President Uhuru's younger brother. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula and Siaya Senator James Orengo have also challenged the President to come out clean on the matter.
They also claimed President Kenyatta had, on two separate occasions, met Mr Ghurair both in Nairobi and in Dubai.
The Nation reports that “Evidence has since emerged that Mr Ghurair was received at State House Nairobi, as part of a delegation of Dubai businessmen last year.”
Mudavadi on Wednesday demanded that the ballot papers tender be cancelled over integrity queries.
He said the Dubai printing company was not experienced in supplying ballot papers to democracies.
“Al Ghurair, although being a multi-billion dollar outfit, has not been involved in the supply of election materials in established democracies. Their portfolios include engagements in countries like Afghanistan and Libya,” he said.
Uhuru’s brother was unavailable to comment on the issue.
The President and his deputy William Ruto have however denied the claims by Nasa leaders.
IEBC has now been forced to hold a crisis meeting with all presidential candidates amid the damning allegations.