IEBC ‘ignored poll kits warning’

The electoral commission disregarded a warning over the possible failure of electronic gadgets used in the last general election, a court heard on Monday.

IEBC director for Information and Communication Technology Dismas Ong’ondi testified that he raised concerns regarding the Electronic Voter Identification Devices (Evid) supplied by Face Technologies Limited, but his advice was not taken seriously. (READ: Specifications of kits used in last year’s polls were changed)

REDUCED QUANTITY

“After evaluating the devices and the short time limit before the polls, I advised the commission to cancel the tender for the supply of the devices and explore other options, but I did not get any response,” he said.

Mr Ong’ondi said that he further advised the commission to explore the possibility of borrowing the devices from other countries or accept a reduced quantity of the devices, but that too was not heeded.

“I also questioned the network capability, which the company said they could not guarantee due to the time limit. My recommendation was that the commission takes a progressive approach to electronic voting starting with the use of the BVR laptops,” Mr Ong’ondi said.

He was testifying in a case in which suspended IEBC boss James Oswago is charged with various counts over the procurement of electronic devices worth Sh1.3 billion for the March 4, 2013 General Election. (READ: Court declares EACC search of Oswago homes legal)

The CEO is accused of abuse of office and failing to comply with procurement rules. His co-accused are suspended deputy IEBC secretary in charge of support services Wilson Kiprotich Shollei, finance director Edward Kenga Karisa and procurement manager Willy Gachanja Kamanga.

The charges were recommended by the Supreme Court last April on conclusion of a petition by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, challenging the election of President Kenyatta.

COMPETING INTERESTS

The judges said it was likely that the procurement of the electronic systems was marked by competing interests involving impropriety or even criminality at the IEBC.

However, Mr Ong’ondi testified that the process of awarding the contract to Face Technologies was properly followed and that there was no impropriety in the tender bids.

He added that success of the electronic voter system could have been achieved if the project had started earlier and that the failure of the Evid project was a collective responsibility of the tender committee.

The hearing resumes on Tuesday.