Monday, September 29, 2014

Sh200m media firm claim on IEBC moved

Corporate News
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) Chairman Isaack Hassan. Transcend Media sued the IEBC for allegedly failing to honour a Sh198,787,892 bill. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP 
By BRIAN WASUNA

Posted  Sunday, September 28   2014 at  18:45
In Summary
  • Transcend Media sued the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for allegedly failing to honour a Sh198,787,892 bill accrued from running adverts on its behalf during last year’s General Elections.

A Sh200 million claim filed by an advertising firm against the electoral commission will now be heard in the civil division of the High Court after it was moved from the commercial unit.
Transcend Media sued the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for allegedly failing to honour a Sh198,787,892 bill accrued from running adverts on its behalf during last year’s General Elections.
Lady Justice Jacqueline Kamau last week transferred the matter to the civil division, arguing that it should not have been filed in the commercial section. The judge had issued orders that the parties file their respective responses and arguments by October 22.
“Having looked at this matter, I do not see any commercial element herein. It was a claim for breach of contract and is best dealt with by the civil division,” said the judge.
The orders came as IEBC denied responsibility for the money, arguing that it did not enter into any contract with Transcend Media, but was a third party beneficiary of a deal struck between the petitioner and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on February 7 last year.
“From my own knowledge, perusal of records and the defendant’s procurement process, IEBC has never been privy or party to the contract dated February 7, 2013 between UNDP and Transcend Media,” said Moses Kipkosgei, who is representing IEBC in the suit.
The advertisements, added Mr Kipkosgei, were meant to positively impact electoral conduct and show the benefits of democracy.

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