IEBC sued for single-sourcing election system
Six people have sued to challenge the awarding of a tender for an election management system to a French-based firm, faulting the procurement process as corrupt.
Wycliff Ken Lugwili, Reuben Kidima Mulama, Hezron Momanyi Ombati, Peter Simiyu Mukoya, Grace Wanjiku Mugo and Hannah Wangui Mugo have sued the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The company, Safran Identity and Security, is listed as an interested party in the case.
The six fault the IEBC for directly procuring the tender and for removing the voter registration component from the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS).
They claim the removal altered the integrated electronic electoral system that enables biometric voter registration, electronic voter identification and electronic transmission of results and hence the IEBC acted unlawfully and contrary to election laws.
They also argue that the electoral agency's defence of its direct procurement is not sufficiently convincing.
Safran was awarded the disputed tender after an earlier offer made to Gemalto SA, also of France, was cancelled.
A local firm associated with Gemalto SA had raised concerns about the Safran award, arguing that Safran may have influenced the procurement process.
The six want the decision to single-source the tender to be suspended and that the IEBC be barred from signing a contract with Safran.
