[NASA presidential flag-bearer Raila Odinga. He insisted that the tender has to be canceled as already one of the parties had vested interests.] (AllAfrica.com)
NASA presidential flag-bearer Raila Odinga has said the alliance has fresh evidence linking the Kenyatta family to the ballot papers printing tender.
Speaking in Kinoru Stadium on Saturday, Raila insisted that the tender has to be canceled as already one of the parties had vested interests.
The saga surrounding the procurement of the ballot papers by the IEBC has been hitting the headlines in the recent days, with accusations and counter-accusations from the ruling coalition and the opposition ruling the airwaves.
The saga has taken fresh twists every single day, with the latest claim by Raila set to elicit more reaction from Kenyatta’s camp.
“Na hiyo tender ilikua imepangwa mwaka juzi, ilikua imepangwa na IEBC ililazimishwa kupeana kandarasi kw ahiyo kampuni. Na wale walipewa kandarasi wanajulikana, walikuja hapa wakapelekwa ikulu wakaongea na Uhuru, (The tender issue was planned in 2015 and IEBC was forced to issue the it to the company, and those who did it are well known. They even visited Uhuru at statehouse,” said Raila.
“Tuko na picha ingine wakikaribisha Uhuru huko kwa kampuni yao, (We have other photos showing the company playing host to Uhuru at their company),” he added.
Jubilee MPs led by Aden Duale had on Thursday dismissed Odinga’s claims, accusing him of being a bitter man, after his company failed to clinch the tender.
The MPs claim Raila had been promised a Sh1 billion token, if his preferred company won the ballot printing tender.
The opposition has been on a two-day visit of Meru, a region perceived to be Jubilee’s stronghold.
“Jubilee hawawezi kushinda isipokuwa kwa kuiba, na tumewaambia wakithubutu wataona cha mtema kuni, (Jubilee will not win, not unless they steal, and we have told them that if they try, they will face the consequences,” added Odinga.
The alliance’s stop overs were marred with challenges, after a dais they were to use at Mikindori area was vandalized, forcing them to use a makeshift.
The vandalizing was allegedly done by police officers, who were caught on camera bringing down the dais.