President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and Nasa leader Raila Odinga (right). [Photo/KenyaToday]
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has re-ignited the debate on the ballot papers printing tender.
Mr Odinga, the National Super Alliance (Nasa) presidential candidate, now claims that top Jubilee leaders have had a long standing relationship with Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing LCC – the Dubai firm that the IEBC awarded the tender.
The former prime minister now wants the electoral commission to abandon the award of the tender to ensure integrity of the August general election.
“Information currently in our possession indicates 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,” claimed Raila.
He was speaking during the National Elections Conference at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.
Odinga claimed that the firm’s officials met Jubilee leaders last year October and discussed the contract.
“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,” he said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta skipped the conference, and instead addressed the nation at the Eldoret State Lodge.
The Jubilee Party leader criticised “those who were out to undermine the credibility and integrity of key institutions involved in the election process with a view of rejecting the final outcome.”
“To threaten these institutions, malign them or disrespect these established channels for recourse is to undermine the foundations that hold together our young and fragile country. The majority of Kenyans do not have another country to run to. Kenya is all they have. And we are in this ship together,” Uhuru said.
The ODM leader’s claimed also attracted criticism from Jubilee secretary general Raphael Tuju and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki.
They termed Odinga’s claims as dangerous, with just 54 days to the general elections.
Tuju and Kindiki asked the opposition chief to provide evidence that Jubilee leaders influenced the awarding of the tender to the Dubai firm.
“I am surprised a presidential candidate can make such sensational claims without evidence. Raila must be challenged to prove who are these Jubilee people who met the printer,” said Mr Tuju.