Revealed: Specifications of kits used in last year’s polls were changed

The technical specifications of electronic voter identification kits were altered before they were delivered for use in the last elections.

In report gazetted Friday, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had advertised for hand-held kits in its tender.

However, the specifications were changed without authorisation to laptops, which largely failed on March 4, 2013, delaying the casting of votes at most polling stations.

“Investigations established that the hand-held devices that were to be supplied as per the tender specifications and award were irregularly changed, leading to the supply of laptops instead of the devices provided for in the contract signed between the IEBC and successful tenderer,” the report published in the Kenya Gazette Friday said.

The report also revealed that changes to the technical specifications were effected without the approval of the electoral commission’s tender committee as stipulated by procurement laws.

The kits were supplied by South African firm Face Technologies.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko accepted the recommendations of the anti-graft agency that four electoral commission officers who allegedly engaged in abuse of office and breach of public procurement laws and regulations be charged. Officials of the supplier face similar charges.

Acting on the approval of the DPP, the anti-graft agency arrested electoral commission chief executive James Oswago, his deputy Wilson Shollei, finance director Edward Karisa and procurement manager Willy Kamanga. They have since been suspended and the case is before the courts.