Minister of Lands Kenya, Mr. James Orengo. Photo | FILE
The electoral commission has had its credibility
questioned following reports that its officials were bribed by a
British firm supplying ballot papers.
Siaya Senator
James Orengo demanded a statement from the government on whether it is
investigating reports by UK’s Serious Fraud Office that Independent
Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials received bribes to
award tenders to the firm, Smith and Ouzman.
“Has the
Government taken note of reports emanating from the Serious Fraud Office
in the UK that election authorities in Kenya were recipients of bribes
from a supplier of election materials from that country, and if so, what
has the Government or the institutions concerned done to inquire into
this matter with a view of establishing the truth?” asked Mr Orengo in a
statement.
He also asks whether the Government is
satisfied that the IEBC as currently constituted and with the recent
prosecutions of its Chief Executive Officer James Oswago and three other
top officials, enjoys sufficient credibility to conduct the 2017
General Election.
“Is the government satisfied that the
commission has the competence, capacity, independence and integrity to
meet other ethical and guiding principles of leadership?”
Mr
Orengo’s concerns emanate from reports that officials of the British
firm have been taken to a London court for corruptly winning tenders in
Africa.
The firm is alleged to have spent Sh56 million to get tenders in Kenya, Mauritania, Ghana and Somaliland.
During
the last General Election, IEBC justified its controversial decision to
single-source a Sh3 billion contract to the British company saying
there was “limited time” for open tendering.
The
individuals who have appeared in court include Chris Smith, the former
chairman of Smith & Ouzman and his 42-year son, Nick Smith, who is
the sales and marketing director.
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