High Court Orders Cancellation of Ballot Printing Tender to Dubai Firm, Al Ghurair

The High Court sitting in Nairobi has cancelled the ballot printing tender awarded to Dubai-based firm, Al Ghurair by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In its ruling to the case filed by the National Super Alliance (NASA) seeking to have the tender cancelled citing conflict of interest, the three-judge bench said that the electoral commission ignored several procurement processes including Public Participation.

IEBC was ordered to stop the printing and identify a new company to do the printing for the Presidential election.

NASA in its case argued that Al Ghurair had close links with top ruling Jubilee Party officials including President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying that the ruling party influenced the awarding of the deal to the Dubai firm.

NASA also argued that the IEBC did not adhere to the set public procurement procedures.

The Electoral Commission has warned that any ruling halting the ballot printing tender to Al Ghurair would jeopardize the election that is one month away.

The IEBC has indicated that it will be moving to the Appellate Court to appeal the Friday’s decision by the High Court.