By Martin Mutua and Vitalis Kimutai

Leaders fighting to succeed President Kibaki have stepped into the raging debate around the Sh3.9 billion electronic voting tender row that has brought Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission into sharp focus.

They want IEBC chairman Issack Hassan and his team to resolve the controversy sparked by the shift in awarding Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits tender to away from lowest bidder, speedily, efficiently, and professionally.

They are also asking the electoral team to do all it can to ensure the tender process does not trigger unnecessary tension and anxiety, as this was bound to send the wrong signals to voters.

This is particularly so because the controversy has the potential of eroding the confidence Kenyans placed on defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) and IEBC, after the dip in trust on integrity of voting following the mess Samuel Kivuitu’s Electoral Commission made of 2007 General Election.

IEBC is grappling with claims the tender, over which one internal committee has resigned in protest, could have been infiltrated by partisan interests, and even extortionists in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

There have also been an unverified claims that the company that bid the second lowest, Symphony, could have links to a powerful political activist, and that the Indian firm that bid the lowest lost because Foreign ministry officials falsely reportedly it had been blacklisted back home after its management declined to pay a Sh30million bribe for a clean report.

The delay in awarding the tender has also had a ripple effect as to when IEBC could start voter registration, and civic education. The delays have the potential to undermine election timelines, and overall planning.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, who spoke through his aide, Kaplich Barsito, said Kenyans were keenly watching the unfolding scenario.

 “IEBC must do everything within its powers to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt, it has the capacity to conduct free and fair polls because that is the first step towards successful elections,” said Kalonzo.

The VP added: “Every Kenyan is watching every move by the IEBC hoping that they will conduct credible elections.” He said the electoral body should stick to procedure in resolving the tender row.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said there should be no favouritism in the tendering, and IEBC should stick to the law.

Speaking through his spokesman Kibisu Kabatesi, Mudavadi said Kenyans would not want to witness the problems that marred the 2007 elections. “It is disheartening that a simple exercise is marred in controversy. One hopes there are no hidden forces out to sabotage the elections,” Mudavadi said.

He added: “We must have learnt from the ECK mess that drove the country to the brink of collapse in 2008. There should be no favours in this exercise.”

Huge responsibility

Eldoret North MP William Ruto said IEBC has a huge responsibility, as it will be managing Kenya’s first election after the disputed 2007 poll conducted by a body that had serious credibility challenges. “IEBC must by all means avoid precipitating another situation like what we saw in 2007. Signals being sent out the confusion are not helping in creating the confidence required of an electoral body,” Ruto said.

Ruto went on: “The tendering process has serious credibility and transparency issues, and IEBC must not let the country down. The country is looking forward to a free, fair, and transparent elections in 2013.”

“IEBC is required as a matter of law to hire a new chief executive, why has that not happened? What is the relation between the current confusion and failure to hire a CEO?” Ruto asked.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga went for a neutral position by appealing for calm, while arguing IEBC was capable of resolving the matter.

 “The Prime Minister believes IEBC is a competent body that should deal with the issue in a competent way and, therefore, there should be no cause for alarm,” Raila said through his spokesman Dennis Onyango.

Planning Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth said IEBC should up its game because Kenyans want an “honest and transparent arbiters” in the elections.

Kenneth, who intends to vie for president on a Kenya National Congress ticket, said transparency in electoral processes was vital to eliminate any perceptions there may be plans to rig the poll.

James Kiyiapi, a former Permanent Secretary and presidential hopeful, said Hassan and IEBC Chief Executive Officer James Oswago should give the public clear updates on the electoral process to avoid unnecessary speculation.

“We need prompt, authoritative updates, and clarity on issues to avoid speculations. The wrangles and conflicting statements should end,” Prof Kiyiapi said.

“My campaign team is watching the row keenly and we are demanding that IEBC must consistently remain above board,” Kiyiapi added.

Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo said the manner the tendering was being handled by IEBC commissioners left a lot to be desired. “The IEBC row must be looked at together with the (Government’s irregular posting of) regional commissioners to counties, as an advance way of rigging elections,” he claimed.

Jirongo said IEBC should not walk the unfortunate disgraceful path of Mr Kivuitu’s team.

Party of Action leader Raphael Tuju said the IEBC had spent undisclosed amount of money on re-branding and recent advertisements at a time it was yet to roll out its programmes. “What is the budget for the ongoing campaigns and what is the target audience? IEBC owes the public an explanation,” added Tuju, who is the Party of Action presidential aspirant.

Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi warned: “The boardroom wars at IEBC are regrettable and Kenyans are keenly following the unfolding scenario.”