Wafula Chebukati rejects rigging claims

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] 

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Wafula Chebukati has denied claims of colluding with Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula to rig the elections.

Chebukati's name was featured following allegations that Wetang'ula had links to the firm contracted to print ballot papers.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Wednesday claimed that there was a plot to rig the elections in 10,000 polling stations, where a number of ballot papers would be sneaked in so that his opponent can get an extra two million votes.

But Wetang'ula rejected as mere propaganda the claims by Azimio that there was such a plan to execute the rigging plot by bringing ballot papers into the country through Uganda.

He denied links to Inform P Lykos Holdings which is printing the ballot papers.

Addressing a rally in Kiambu on Wednesday, Azimio Secretary General Junet Mohamed alleged that Kenya Kwanza Alliance was working with IEBC to rig the August 9 elections.

Junet further claimed there have been secret meetings in Karen between Kenya Kwanza leaders and Chebukati. 

But the IEBC chairman yesterday assured Kenyans of free and fair elections terming the reports as malicious and inaccurate. 

He said he has only had a sit down with coalitions and stakeholders to talk matters election and that has been on public domain.

"I have never sat with an individual to discuss procurement. It is unfortunate that some politicians can stoop this low," Chebukati said.

"I want to confirm that IEBC is an independent institution. We are not directed by any individual. We are answerable only to the Constitution," he added. 

The IEBC chairman maintained he is not involved in the tendering process of the electoral materials. 

He assured that there will be no extra ballot papers that will be printed to occasion any sort of rigging.  He said IEBC's mission of overseeing the August polls will not be diverted by politics.

IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Husein Marjan said the work of the commissioners is strategy and oversight of the commission and not procurement.