Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced it will receive the last consignment of presidential ballot papers on August 3.
The announcement of August 3, is contrary to an initial communication indicating the final batch of election materials would arrive this Friday, July 29.
A joint statement from the delegation of 13 members that went to Greece to inspect the printing process, voiced their concern on the notable delay in delivery of the last package of ballot papers.
Addressing the delay in delivery of the ballot boxes, Fr. Joseph Mutie, chair of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya said, “The team takes note of the printer’s concern, especially the court ruling that delayed the printing schedule.”
The group of observers sent to oversee the process included religious leaders, representatives of presidential candidates, civil society representatives, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, the Political Parties Liaison Committee and the Media Council of Kenya.
Among members of the group were Kenya Kwanza represented by UDA party secretary general Veronica Maina and Anthony Mwaura, and Azimio Coalition represented by lawyer Paul Mwangi.
Those receiving the ballot papers at the airport were the Commission’s vice chairperson Juliana Cherera and commissioners Francis Wanderi, Justus Nyang’aya, and Irene Masit.
According to the agency, there are a total of 65.2 million ballots in its warehouses out of the 132 million. The materials, it said, are contained in 143,821 boxes.
IEBC’s handling of election equipment ahead of the August polls came into question after the arrest of three Venezuelans, in possession of electoral materials at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Police officers at JKIA said they had to apprehend the three to question them about the found IEBC stickers in their possessions.
The Venezuelans apparently were attached to Smartmatic International company and are said to be part of the technicians who will help IEBC with the deployment of the technology during the electioneering period.
“The Commission has a valid legal contract executed between itself and Smartmatic International B.V. for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System,” said IEBC.
