NASA leaders have linked senior Jubilee officials
to the awarding of a ballot papers printing tender to
Al Ghurair.
The Dubai-based company is to print about 120 million ballot papers, election results forms and poll registers for the August 8 general elections.
NASA flag bearer
Raila Odinga said on Tuesday that they have information indicating the firm has had contracts with Jubilee officials for at least three years.
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In a press briefing in Nairobi, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi said:
"It has become abundantly clear that the awarding of the tender was influenced by Uhuru. The President cannot be the procurement manager in chief for IEBC."
Mudavadi also called for the sacking of IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba and Director of Election Operations Immaculate Kasait for their alleged involvement in the matter.
"They were the contacts for State House. These two should immediately step aside and investigations should commence into their conduct and tenure at the IEBC," he claimed.
The politician said
Kasait is clouded in numerous integrity issues.
"She reports on a weekly basis to State House where she gives status updates to Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua," he said.
Mudavadi said
Kasait is also a member of a Jubilee-leaning organisation known as the Mt Kenya Foundation which operates from Nairobi's Parklands area.
"The activities of this foundation are shrouded in mystery," he said.
The Amani party leader added that the office is accessed
only by Uhuru, DP William Ruto, JP executive director Winnie Guchu, Interior
CS Joseph Nkaissery, businessman Chris Kirubi, former CS Davis Chirchir and former Chief of General Staff Joseph Karangi.
"Kasait provides frequent updates on the state of affairs at IEBC to this group."
'UHURU SHOULD COME CLEAN'
Mudavadi asked Uhuru to come clean on his and his family’s links with the firm and state his interests in the contract the firm was awarded.
"The interest, in our view, is clear. The President and his Jubilee team are looking for a firm that can supply extra ballot secretly as was the case in 2013," he said.
"The issue of delay is only an excuse to create a crisis to justify the giving of this tender to Al Ghurair."
Earlier, IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati said the rhetoric on the procurement of ballot material is dangerous, following criticism by Raila.
He said the
narrative was "dangerously derailing" them from fulfilling their constitutional obligation on the elections.
"IEBC
undertook due diligence which confirmed
the firm is qualified to undertake the printing of ballot papers," he said.
Chebukati further said
the commission engaged the political stakeholders before making the decision.
A number of government tenders have caused political tension, which is threatening to poison the atmosphere ahead of the August 8 polls.
In October last year, Uhuru's sister Nyokabi Muthama was linked to the Sh5 billion Health ministry scandal.