Opposition chief, Raila Odinga (C) in a 'selfy' moment at the KICC, June 13, 2017. [Photo: Philip Etale]
Opposition chief, Raila Odinga, has says they have been ignored.
During the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's Elections Conference at the KICC, Raila said the Opposition has been isolated ahead of the August 8 polls.
"In this election, the concerns of the Opposition have been ignored in one of the most critical aspects of these stages and that is the printing of ballot papers. We are also deeply concerned about the determination of the IEBC to change the law regarding declaration of presidential results. We recognize that the courts are currently seized of this matter and we trust that justice will be done," he said.
As law abiding citizens, Raila said the Opposition, Nasa, went to court to quash the decision of the IEBC to award the tender for the supply and delivery of ballot papers for elections, election result declaration forms and poll registers to Al Ghurair Print and Publishing Company Limited of Dubai.
"In February this year, the High Court ruled in our favour and held that the tender had failed to comply with the Election laws. The courts said it was unreasonable for IEBC to proceed with the award of tender without taking into account the new regulations.Three days ago, the IEBC ignored our concerns and the findings of the Court and re-awarded the tender to Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company," Raila said, Tuesday.
He noted that they had information indicating that the firm has long had contacts with senior Jubilee officials for at least three years.
"Owners of this firm hosted senior Jubilee officials in Dubai in February last year during which the ballot printing tender was discussed. Officials of the firm were in Kenya in October 2016 as head of the business delegation brought by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce during which trip they held further talks on this contract with Jubilee officials. That how IEBC became hell bent on delivering the printing tender to Al Gharair," revealed Raila.
He said the Opposition was never involved in "these improper contacts."
"Full disclosure would also reveal that this firm has local franchise holders who hold known partisan political positions in the contest ahead. All these have never been disclosed. As Nasa, our stand remains that the involvement of this firm in this elections bodes ill and compromises credibility of the upcoming elections."
He further added that it was not too late for the IEBC to do the right thing for the sake of the country.