The High Court has dismissed the awarding of the ballot paper printing tender to Al Ghurair. The tender had been awarded to Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company. The three judge-bench, which included Judges George Odunga, Joseph Mativo and Joel Ngugi, concluded that the electoral commission IEBC failed to conduct an adequate public participation. The election date hasn’t been altered.
Justice Joel Ngugi directed the procurement process to be done afresh, “We order that the IEBC commences the procurement process for printing of election materials for presidential elections scheduled for August 8 so as to ensure free, fair and transparent election.”
Opposition coalition NASA had raised concerns about the awarding of the tender, with Presidential candiadte Raila Odinga insisting that the issue had to be settled in court. The opposition leader had also highlighted President Uhuru Kenyatta’s close relationship with the Dubai based company as a factor when it came to awarding the tender, however, the Court quashed the claims, saying substantiary evidence to prove the claims was lacking.