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Post by Omwenga on Mar 29, 2012 5:28:42 GMT 3
In IEBC Must Remain Neutral and Why Kibaki Must Reverse Course on Election Date, omwenga.com/2012/03/21/iebc-must-remain-neutral-and-why-kibaki-needs-to-reverse-course-on-election-date/ penned just a few days ago, I noted the following: Every Kenyan that cares about our beloved country is of the view or at least believes we saw the worst of the worst in Kivuitu and his now defunct Electoral Commission when it comes to how we elect our leaders, especially the president. When the new IEBC was constituted and its commissioners sworn, every expectation has been this new body brings with it not only a sense of hope in finally having an election body that oversees elections that are as fair, open and transparent as can be, but one also that separates itself from politics and remains the neutral referee it must be. By electing Isaack Hassan, a Kenyan of Somali descent to head the body, the decision makers were obviously also conscious of the fact tribalism has been rearing its ugly head in many, if not all of our institutions so someone from Hassan’s community is generally speaking seen to be less vulnerable to tribalistic conduct in carrying out the duties of this important office. Both of these considerations, namely, the neutrality of the IEBC and absence of tribalistic or otherwise primitive conduct of the affairs of the IEBC are at stake and going by what just happened this week regarding IEBC’s announcement of the election date, a lot is left to be desired. Our brothers and sisters from the Kenyan Somali community are also on test whether, indeed, they are or can be the neutral arbiters free of tribalism everyone is giving them the benefit of doubt to be or will they beg to differ. While no one can at this time say the IEBC is compromised or is headed in the direction the old we so much wish to forget took us with Kivuitu, there are tell tales if the body does not re-evaluate and reverse course, it may start drifting in that direction before forced to correct course.I went on to discuss one such tell tale being IEBC's rush to announce the election date even as the case challenging the Constitutional Court's decision is making its way on appeals to the Supreme Court. I have now learned from an impeccable source that IEBC had long before announcing the date ordered and had ballots printed for the mock election and stored at a warehouse belonging to someone very well connected and allied with PNU/G7 who may or may not have had a hand in the selection of the company that had the contract to print the ballots. Questions: If this is true as I have every reason to believe it is; what does it say about our newly minted IEBC? Even assuming for the sake of argument that the IEBC had the ballots printed in anticipation of the election date being confirmed sooner than later, did it have to get a known PNU/G7 partisan involved in any aspect of the exercise, even as a matter of hands off business transaction such as providing storage for the ballots? Wouldn't avoiding even appearance of impropriety not required that the IEBC stick with neutrality in every respect and if that meant hauling and storing all the ballots at its offices so be it? If IEBC is, indeed, authorized this transaction, does it not tell us that certain people have not learned any lessons from 2007 and are, in fact, approaching the next elections with the same mentality and that is, we shall get our way mpende msipende? I think its time Mr. Hassan answered these and many other questions and someone in Parliament better wake up and start demanding answers before its too late. My Turn, omwenga.com/2012/03/28/is-iebc-already-compromised/. |
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Post by mwalimumkuu on Mar 29, 2012 6:27:55 GMT 3
Omwenga,
In the other thread on a plan to dispute elections, a narrative emerged that there seem to be concerted efforts by one side of the coalition with help of other disgruntled elements within and without to set stage for a repeat of 2007 events.
We all know how the IEBC came into being. It was such a painstaking process. Not so many systems around the world have done what we did. We actually started tabular rasa to where we are now. All this was meant to breath new life into these institutions and Kenyans are happy with what we got.
But to some of you, no, it can never be good enough. Look at the silliness with which some of you approach issues. All Kenyans in one way or another have their political allegiance on one side or the other. That is very normal anywhere and everywhere and in itself cannot and should not be reason to impute wrong motive and disparage these bodies.
If you have evidence of any wrong doing you know what to do. Otherwise such innuendos and alarmist statements can only be interrupted to be part of the wider scheme to create confusion with the intention of taking us back where we came from and for the benefit of those some of you work for.
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Post by Omwenga on Mar 29, 2012 8:30:19 GMT 3
Omwenga, In the other thread on a plan to dispute elections, a narrative emerged that there seem to be concerted efforts by one side of the coalition with help of other disgruntled elements within and without to set stage for a repeat of 2007 events. We all know how the IEBC came into being. It was such a painstaking process. Not so many systems around the world have done what we did. We actually started tabular rasa to where we are now. All this was meant to breath new life into these institutions and Kenyans are happy with what we got. But to some of you, no, it can never be good enough. Look at the silliness with which some of you approach issues. All Kenyans in one way or another have their political allegiance on one side or the other. That is very normal anywhere and everywhere and in itself cannot and should not be reason to impute wrong motive and disparage these bodies. If you have evidence of any wrong doing you know what to do. Otherwise such innuendos and alarmist statements can only be interrupted to be part of the wider scheme to create confusion with the intention of taking us back where we came from and for the benefit of those some of you work for. A few things worth of note in response to you. First, when you say, "in the other thread on a plan to dispute elections," can you take a moment and reflect on what is wrong with that assertion? I have highlighted for you where you should focus. Questions you should have in mind and answer include, what is the plan? Who concocted it? When? Where? Why? Or is this an effort to cow those who would raise legitimate concerns about the electoral process? Other questions you should ask and answer are, does it make more sense to "plan to dispute" election outcome or to use one's power and ability to ensure the election outcome is the product of an open and transparent election? Second, does it follow that, having gone through a credible selection process of picking members of the new IEBC as we admittedly did that therefore the body or parts of it is unassailable, incorruptible or immune to temptations to be compromised? Is it not our individual and collective responsibility to be vigilant and to ensure that the body remains neutral as it must if it has to have any credibility in conducting our next elections and beyond as it must? Third, is having a neutral electoral commission and Kenyans having a right to associate or align themselves politically with either side of the political divide mutually exclusive? Can we not demand and have an IEBC that maintains neutrality even as its own members have political preferences of their own? Indeed, isn't it not the idea that a body like IEBC must be run by individuals who put country first and their own interests and preferences second or even sacrifice them altogether for the sake of the larger good? Of what use is the body if its run by individuals who would have their partisanship or political preferences influence their decision making or conduct? Fourth, but not least, what I have posted here is neither "innuendo" nor "alarmist" as you erroneously think even though I doubt you even believe it is either. What I have posted are questions based on information received from an impeccable source I would have to assume someone else must know this information but I have nonetheless sent it to several MPs I know and asked that they look into it. Finally, but not least, let me quote myself in something I said to someone else on another forum in response to your insinuation that I am working for Raila or ODM for that matter: Many of you can't stand the fact that I am such a passionate supporter of Raila but as I am sure you know, that's not going to change no matter how much nonsense I have to deal with in maintaining firm in who I am an what I believe in.
I have been offered money to defect many times including even most recently when I was home and turned it down so that should tell you something.
It's not about money, or "worshiping idols" or any of that nonsense but a love for my country and a conviction as to who I believe is best qualified to be our next president.
That's it. Period.I would repeat that here and urge you to disabuse yourself of any notion that I do what I do other than for the same reason I have repeatedly stated and many of those who know me personally here and other fora--and there are many, would attest to that simple fact. |
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Post by kamalet on Mar 29, 2012 10:43:08 GMT 3
Omwenga
You need to open your eyes a lot wider and stop thinking like a typical Kenyan politician who will cry wolf at anything.
As Mwalimumkuu says, everyone has his political allegiance. You have yours and I have mine. What you suggesting is that because you are a ODM-Raila hanger on, your IT software company cannot do business with the immigration department just because the minister is an ODM one.
What you have simply forgot is that the IEBC is a public entity and its procurement process is governed by law. When tenders are floated, there is never a question on the tender forms about the political affiliation of the directors/owners as this should really never be an issue if the procurement process is transparent. As you do not know of the procurement process followed by the IEBC in getting the warehouse where the materials were stored you cannot with any conscience claim favouritism to anyone.
As for the mock elections, this is not a new thing and has happened before the referendum and is a very good check on the systems to see if the work to allow for any modifications to the electoral process. I honestly cannot see the link to the election date in having the mock elections and in any case you do not even offer an alternative way of doing it! Unless of course you are suggesting that the IEBC should have been sitting twiddling their thumbs waiting for the court to make a ruling then start moving......that is not how an organised institution works!
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Post by phil on Mar 29, 2012 11:17:21 GMT 3
Kamale, You ought to check and verify what Omwenga is saying before you publish such uninformed responses. First, it is a fact that the IIEC/IEBC did not tender for the ballot papers for the mock elections. If they did, you may want to publish the copy of the advert here for Jukwaa to see. I can lead you to their tender page, and there is nowhere that it shows the did advertise tenders for printing of ballot papers and it is obvious that these were single sourced through the well connected companies currently doing business with the commission courtesy of their links to the commissioners and management of the IIEC/IEBC. Here in Kenya and the region, it is only De La Rue of Ruaraka who have the machinery and technical know-how of security printing standards normally required of ballot papers. But which is the company that supplied these ballots? www.iebc.or.ke/index.php/Tenders/ (this link is on/off, but it has all the tender records for the last few years!)Even if the IIEC/IEBC went for quotations, when were these firms prequalified and shortlisted? Wapi advert? You may also want to know that the IIEC never advertised tenders for printing of the ballot papers for the 2010 referendum and these were single sourced from a well connected firm that is linked to some of the commissioners including the Chairman himself. This was a tender that was worth at least half a million USD. And what does the law says about such tenders, Mr. Kamale? Secondly, there is one hot tender at IEBC whose submission closed beginning of this week, that is for the Biometric Voter Registration Solution (BVR). This tender was all wrong from the beginning. The technical specifications are such that they are prepared by a well known vendor, and the delivery demands of the solution is such that only a vendor who had prepared themselves in advance could meet the provisions of the tender. And to prove this to you, I can reveal that more than 80 local and international firms bought the tender from IEBC for Kshs. 5000, but only about 30 firms were able to return their bids despite a one week extension on the submission deadline. What do these events tell you? Is it normal for 80 reputable firms to express an interest but only 30% of them are actually able to bid? Something is not right here! Is the IEBC intending to be fair during the elections when they are already engaging in corrupt and irregular tendering during the procurement stage? The BVR tender is worth billions of shillings and some PNU insiders are already looking at a campaign funds cash cow with blessings from a majority of IEBC commissioners. We are watching this tender very very closely and if need be, we shall publish the names behind the irregularities and the firms involved, and we list out the names of their directors. It is a poorly kept secret the Isaak Hassan and his close-knit group of commissioners and managers are frustrating the CEO and have been working with their political god fathers to have him hounded out of office, beginning with the advertisement for the post of the CEO. Instead of being non-partisan, Hassan is covertly working at the behest of PNU and their affilliates and his response to the attempted expulsion of some ODM rebels by the party bear me witness. Kamale, the tender for multi-bilion third generation national identity cards has been readvertised several times over the last few years and the last tender process of 2009-2010 has run into a brickwall after a couple of favoured companies were shortlisted by OP. Thanks to the coalition arrangement otherwise this was another Anglo-fleecing in the making. Care to check and report back to Jukwaa? I agree with Omwenga that the IEBC is compromised and working towards defeating democracy in the forthcoming general elections. Shindwe!! |
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Post by kamalet on Mar 29, 2012 11:55:51 GMT 3
Phil
Not sure why you are getting hot under the collar on this one.
You have made some fantastic (now derived from the word fantasy!) allegations about the procurement process. You have alleged that the chairman of the IEBC is connected to some of the suppliers and even suggested the law being broken with regard to the procurement process. I have no knowledge of the allegations that you make.
But are you able to give us the names of the companies that were single sourced for the $500k ballot papers? Unless you provide the details of your allegations, my view is that we should treat all you say as hot air!
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Post by phil on Mar 29, 2012 13:21:05 GMT 3
Kamale, Any one who cares about this country is bound to get hot under the collar when electoral processes are interefered with or mismanaged. While the common mwananchi may see the IEBC as beyond reproach, the reality is that these people are human beings who know which side of their bread is buttered. IEBC has shown that it does not respect rule of law whether through procurement or through staff recruitment or even through managing elections themselves. The persons given responsibility of managing the independent electoral commission must be individuals of integrity and people beyond partisan political interests. They ought to and must steer clear of matters of personal commercial gain. Unfortunately at IEBC presently, this is not the case. I would not want to jeopadize the livelihoods and security of our informers but be aware we are closely monitoring the IEBC. The link is now working www.iebc.or.ke/index.php/Tenders/ have you checked and verified what Omwenga and I previously posted is the truth? Do you see any tender for printing of ballot papers? That is the sad reality. IIEC/IEBC under Hassan have turned themselves into puppets of cowboy contractors. These are developments which if left unchecked will have significant impact on the out come of the elections. This is the single major counduit through which stuffed ballot boxes and dead voters make appearances at polling stations during election time. I would advise you to make discreet enquiries at Anniversary Towers 5th floor and you will be shocked by some of the goings on there. |
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Post by Titchaz on Mar 29, 2012 13:34:21 GMT 3
Kamale, Any one who cares about this country is bound to get hot under the collar when electoral processes are interefered with or mismanaged. While the common mwananchi may see the IEBC as beyond reproach, the reality is that these people are human beings who know which side of their bread is buttered. IEBC has shown that it does not respect rule of law whether through procurement or through staff recruitment or even through managing elections themselves. The persons given responsibility of managing the independent electoral commission must be individuals of integrity and people beyond partisan political interests. They ought to and must steer clear of matters of personal commercial gain. Unfortunately at IEBC presently, this is not the case. I would not want to jeopadize the livelihoods and security of our informers but be aware we are closely monitoring the IEBC. The link is now working www.iebc.or.ke/index.php/Tenders/ have you checked and verified what Omwenga and I previously posted is the truth? Do you see any tender for printing of ballot papers? That is the sad reality. IIEC/IEBC under Hassan have turned themselves into puppets of cowboy contractors. These are developments which if left unchecked will have significant impact on the out come of the elections. This is the single major counduit through which stuffed ballot boxes and dead voters make appearances at polling stations during election time. I would advise you to make discreet enquiries at Anniversary Towers 5th floor and you will be shocked by some of the goings on there. Where is Miguna Miguna when you need him?  |
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Post by kijiko on Mar 29, 2012 14:08:55 GMT 3
Thank you Phil for that information. will keep our eyes open.
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Post by Omwenga on Mar 29, 2012 14:10:12 GMT 3
Omwenga You need to open your eyes a lot wider and stop thinking like a typical Kenyan politician who will cry wolf at anything. As Mwalimumkuu says, everyone has his political allegiance. You have yours and I have mine. What you suggesting is that because you are a ODM-Raila hanger on, your IT software company cannot do business with the immigration department just because the minister is an ODM one. What you have simply forgot is that the IEBC is a public entity and its procurement process is governed by law. When tenders are floated, there is never a question on the tender forms about the political affiliation of the directors/owners as this should really never be an issue if the procurement process is transparent. As you do not know of the procurement process followed by the IEBC in getting the warehouse where the materials were stored you cannot with any conscience claim favouritism to anyone. As for the mock elections, this is not a new thing and has happened before the referendum and is a very good check on the systems to see if the work to allow for any modifications to the electoral process. I honestly cannot see the link to the election date in having the mock elections and in any case you do not even offer an alternative way of doing it! Unless of course you are suggesting that the IEBC should have been sitting twiddling their thumbs waiting for the court to make a ruling then start moving......that is not how an organised institution works! First, I am not crying wolf, never have and doubt I ever will. Second, it's you and those who are thinking like you about this issue that needs to open your eyes, unless you don't want to see what is there or you already know what is there but would rather pretend you don't see it. Third, I know all there is to know about tenders and the law governing the process but that's irrelevant as to this particular issue except for the fact there was no tendering done in this particular procurement, which there should have been one. Fourth, having no questions asked as to political affiliation in tendering documents is also besides the point because IEBC is a unique body unlike all others where all appearances of impropriety must be avoided such that it would be moronic to award a contract to print ballots to a PNU/G7 operative and if the body or its chairman doesn't know how to accomplish neutrality consistent with the law by eliminating such an eventuality, he is not up-to the job and should resign forthwith. Fourth, I have nothing and did not say anything against holding mock elections and if I had to say anything about it, I would say we don't need them. If in IEBC's view we must have mock elections, then what it should have done is to await confirmation of the election date to begin with before engaging in that exercise but even if it had to conduct the mock elections before then, it should have done so in a manner identical to how it would conduct the general elections and in every respect, including storage of those ballots free of tampering possibilities or compromise. That can't be said about what it has done here. What I am saying is what IEBC is doing is not consistent with what a body that is required to be neutral and free of politics is supposed to be doing and am even going further to suggest I have every reason to believe the body is compromised going by those very actions alone. I also said IEBC must correct course before it's forced to do so. |
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Post by Omwenga on Mar 29, 2012 14:11:17 GMT 3
Kamale, You ought to check and verify what Omwenga is saying before you publish such uninformed responses. First, it is a fact that the IIEC/IEBC did not tender for the ballot papers for the mock elections. If they did, you may want to publish the copy of the advert here for Jukwaa to see. I can lead you to their tender page, and there is nowhere that it shows the did advertise tenders for printing of ballot papers and it is obvious that these were single sourced through the well connected companies currently doing business with the commission courtesy of their links to the commissioners and management of the IIEC/IEBC. Here in Kenya and the region, it is only De La Rue of Ruaraka who have the machinery and technical know-how of security printing standards normally required of ballot papers. But which is the company that supplied these ballots? www.iebc.or.ke/index.php/Tenders/ (this link is on/off, but it has all the tender records for the last few years!)Even if the IIEC/IEBC went for quotations, when were these firms prequalified and shortlisted? Wapi advert? You may also want to know that the IIEC never advertised tenders for printing of the ballot papers for the 2010 referendum and these were single sourced from a well connected firm that is linked to some of the commissioners including the Chairman himself. This was a tender that was worth at least half a million USD. And what does the law says about such tenders, Mr. Kamale? Secondly, there is one hot tender at IEBC whose submission closed beginning of this week, that is for the Biometric Voter Registration Solution (BVR). This tender was all wrong from the beginning. The technical specifications are such that they are prepared by a well known vendor, and the delivery demands of the solution is such that only a vendor who had prepared themselves in advance could meet the provisions of the tender. And to prove this to you, I can reveal that more than 80 local and international firms bought the tender from IEBC for Kshs. 5000, but only about 30 firms were able to return their bids despite a one week extension on the submission deadline. What do these events tell you? Is it normal for 80 reputable firms to express an interest but only 30% of them are actually able to bid? Something is not right here! Is the IEBC intending to be fair during the elections when they are already engaging in corrupt and irregular tendering during the procurement stage? The BVR tender is worth billions of shillings and some PNU insiders are already looking at a campaign funds cash cow with blessings from a majority of IEBC commissioners. We are watching this tender very very closely and if need be, we shall publish the names behind the irregularities and the firms involved, and we list out the names of their directors. It is a poorly kept secret the Isaak Hassan and his close-knit group of commissioners and managers are frustrating the CEO and have been working with their political god fathers to have him hounded out of office, beginning with the advertisement for the post of the CEO. Instead of being non-partisan, Hassan is covertly working at the behest of PNU and their affilliates and his response to the attempted expulsion of some ODM rebels by the party bear me witness. Kamale, the tender for multi-bilion third generation national identity cards has been readvertised several times over the last few years and the last tender process of 2009-2010 has run into a brickwall after a couple of favoured companies were shortlisted by OP. Thanks to the coalition arrangement otherwise this was another Anglo-fleecing in the making. Care to check and report back to Jukwaa? I agree with Omwenga that the IEBC is compromised and working towards defeating democracy in the forthcoming general elections. Shindwe!!
Very well said; no need to add even a word. |
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Post by Omwenga on Mar 29, 2012 14:12:44 GMT 3
Kamale, Any one who cares about this country is bound to get hot under the collar when electoral processes are interefered with or mismanaged. While the common mwananchi may see the IEBC as beyond reproach, the reality is that these people are human beings who know which side of their bread is buttered. IEBC has shown that it does not respect rule of law whether through procurement or through staff recruitment or even through managing elections themselves. The persons given responsibility of managing the independent electoral commission must be individuals of integrity and people beyond partisan political interests. They ought to and must steer clear of matters of personal commercial gain. Unfortunately at IEBC presently, this is not the case. I would not want to jeopadize the livelihoods and security of our informers but be aware we are closely monitoring the IEBC. The link is now working www.iebc.or.ke/index.php/Tenders/ have you checked and verified what Omwenga and I previously posted is the truth? Do you see any tender for printing of ballot papers? That is the sad reality. IIEC/IEBC under Hassan have turned themselves into puppets of cowboy contractors. These are developments which if left unchecked will have significant impact on the out come of the elections. This is the single major counduit through which stuffed ballot boxes and dead voters make appearances at polling stations during election time. I would advise you to make discreet enquiries at Anniversary Towers 5th floor and you will be shocked by some of the goings on there. Again, word by word I would say the same thing and double underline what you have highlighted. |
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Post by kamalet on Mar 29, 2012 15:40:41 GMT 3
Kamale, Any one who cares about this country is bound to get hot under the collar when electoral processes are interefered with or mismanaged. While the common mwananchi may see the IEBC as beyond reproach, the reality is that these people are human beings who know which side of their bread is buttered. IEBC has shown that it does not respect rule of law whether through procurement or through staff recruitment or even through managing elections themselves. The persons given responsibility of managing the independent electoral commission must be individuals of integrity and people beyond partisan political interests. They ought to and must steer clear of matters of personal commercial gain. Unfortunately at IEBC presently, this is not the case. I would not want to jeopadize the livelihoods and security of our informers but be aware we are closely monitoring the IEBC. The link is now working www.iebc.or.ke/index.php/Tenders/ have you checked and verified what Omwenga and I previously posted is the truth? Do you see any tender for printing of ballot papers? That is the sad reality. IIEC/IEBC under Hassan have turned themselves into puppets of cowboy contractors. These are developments which if left unchecked will have significant impact on the out come of the elections. This is the single major counduit through which stuffed ballot boxes and dead voters make appearances at polling stations during election time. I would advise you to make discreet enquiries at Anniversary Towers 5th floor and you will be shocked by some of the goings on there. Phil You are asking me to be outraged but are not telling me why. If there is an element of the electoral process I should be worried about tell me explicitly with details! I do not agree that alluding to no tender being there for the referendum ballot papers is not telling me a lot just because the said tender is not on their site! I do not believe it that just because the tender details are not on the site it means here was no tender for the work. I am every against generalised statements accusing people of impropriety and I would have preferred that you tell us those companies the chairman has an interest in that have the work given to them by the chairman. What I am challenging you to do is become the whistle blower here. If Hassan is a crook, tell my how and why and I will join in his condemnation! I will however not condemn him for the simple reason he did not chose the date of elections that suited Raila (whom you support) by planting unsubstantiated actions! |
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Post by phil on Mar 29, 2012 15:56:41 GMT 3
Phil You are asking me to be outraged but are not telling me why. If there is an element of the electoral process I should be worried about tell me explicitly with details! I do not agree that alluding to no tender being there for the referendum ballot papers is not telling me a lot just because the said tender is not on their site! I do not believe it that just because the tender details are not on the site it means here was no tender for the work. I am every against generalised statements accusing people of impropriety and I would have preferred that you tell us those companies the chairman has an interest in that have the work given to them by the chairman. What I am challenging you to do is become the whistle blower here. If Hassan is a crook, tell my how and why and I will join in his condemnation! I will however not condemn him for the simple reason he did not chose the date of elections that suited Raila (whom you support) by planting unsubstantiated actions! Kamale, So why should the IIEC/IEBC have a 'tenders page' and omit advertising their requirement for printing ballot papers - a very important component of the electoral process? Are you listening to yourself? Jeeeze! And unless you know otherwise, we have challenged you to post that advert here for Jukwaa to see and all you have done is to oppose everything that Omwenga and I have said without proving anything tot he contrary yourself. It is my intention to be more than a whistleblower. I am collecting data to challenge IEBC procurement decisions in court and this is where you will see explicit details. I have given you a few hints here and there and asked you to conduct your own discreet enquiries at Annivesary Towers. Perhaps you will believe yourself thereafter. |
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Post by mwalimumkuu on Mar 29, 2012 16:25:52 GMT 3
Omwenga,
Borrow from Phil and do the right thing; sue the thieving commissioners or let us see you evidence. Otherwise whinning here on jukwaa endlessly can only be taken to be a continuation of the experience we have lived before with very dire consequences. Many Kenyans are yet to recover from that nonsense and may never do. So be of help to us by doing the needful.
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Post by kamalet on Mar 29, 2012 17:26:23 GMT 3
Phil You are asking me to be outraged but are not telling me why. If there is an element of the electoral process I should be worried about tell me explicitly with details! I do not agree that alluding to no tender being there for the referendum ballot papers is not telling me a lot just because the said tender is not on their site! I do not believe it that just because the tender details are not on the site it means here was no tender for the work. I am every against generalised statements accusing people of impropriety and I would have preferred that you tell us those companies the chairman has an interest in that have the work given to them by the chairman. What I am challenging you to do is become the whistle blower here. If Hassan is a crook, tell my how and why and I will join in his condemnation! I will however not condemn him for the simple reason he did not chose the date of elections that suited Raila (whom you support) by planting unsubstantiated actions! Kamale, So why should the IIEC/IEBC have a 'tenders page' and omit advertising their requirement for printing ballot papers - a very important component of the electoral process? Are you listening to yourself? Jeeeze! And unless you know otherwise, we have challenged you to post that advert here for Jukwaa to see and all you have done is to oppose everything that Omwenga and I have said without proving anything tot he contrary yourself. It is my intention to be more than a whistleblower. I am collecting data to challenge IEBC procurement decisions in court and this is where you will see explicit details. I have given you a few hints here and there and asked you to conduct your own discreet enquiries at Annivesary Towers. Perhaps you will believe yourself thereafter. Phil All I know is that a procurement of $500k MUST under the Procurement Laws of Kenya be tendered for. On this basis I believe that there was a tender for the work unless proven otherwise. I trust that your threats will be more than just that and you will actually lead this in a court of law! My guess is that you actually bluffing. |
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Post by Omwenga on Mar 29, 2012 19:36:32 GMT 3
Omwenga, Borrow from Phil and do the right thing; sue the thieving commissioners or let us see you evidence. Otherwise whinning here on jukwaa endlessly can only be taken to be a continuation of the experience we have lived before with very dire consequences. Many Kenyans are yet to recover from that nonsense and may never do. So be of help to us by doing the needful. I have been around long enough and know enough to know what whining is and if you think that is what I am doing, then that says more about you than anything, not that anything more need be known about you, given your posts here; it merely confirms it. I don't tell you what to do, don't tell me what to do about information I share or how I share it or what to do with it. Either respond to it or leave it alone. I know exactly what I am doing and will do it my way to the end. |
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Post by job on Mar 29, 2012 20:20:54 GMT 3
Omwenga et al.,
Thanks for this thread. The IEBC must be put in thorough scrutiny.
Sunshine must illuminate all activities within IEBC especially regarding tendering for election materials and equipment, and all staff recruitments.
Isaak Hassan must be very careful lest he ends up a disgraced desolate ala Samuel Kivuitu. Once the Mt. Kenya mafia misused Kivuitu, they left him to the hyenas in the forest - the sickly old man had to resort to desperate begging for pension.
If the open-mic gossiping incident (during the IEBC press conference) is anything to go by, we need to be concerned. That incident gave us a glimpse of patronage bias (partisanship) and group psychosis.
As I watched & heard Isaak Hassan gossiping with his fellow Commissioners Lilian Bokeeye Mahiri and Mohamed Alawi Hussun, it was not left to any imagination as to their politicial inclinations and loyalty. All three are clearly partisan water-can-carriers owing patronage allegiance to PNU masters.
But when group psychosis drives their modus operandi (as apparent in that video and audio clip) then the big risk becomes possibility of outright conspiracies. It is often conspiracies which lead to deadly activities such as vote fraud or rigging. The public must be on a constant lookout for any signs of conspiracies between/amongst these Commissioners.
Coming to Omwenga's concern. Every Kenyan should be concerned whenever IEBC engages in eye-brow-raising activities. Giving a contract for printing ballot papers to a PNU connected business obviously raises eye-brows. I'd rather these are sourced from overseas - for obvious reasons of (possible) local tampering. Isaak Hassan must think deep and wide, and listen less to some of these commissioners who are essentially mouthpieces to troublesome political godfathers.
Renting a storage warehouse belonging to a PNU luminary (or supporter) is another eye-brow raiser. Does the PNU luminary want to size and sample the IEBC ballot boxes for reasons unknown to IEBC and others? Could there be research on how to stuff such ballot boxes? or swap them with copy-cat ballot boxes? IEBC is definitely inviting such questions the moment they make casual decisions on crucial matters related to handling elections. IEBC must not only be neutral; but also strive to appear to be so.
Now that the election date debate is ongoing, activities of the IEBC should be pried open. Open bias, partisan gossips, and conspiracies must not be allowed. The public must see what's cooking behind IEBC's closed doors. Not just the public, even MPs, and the civil society and even international bodies need to. Entities such as the LSK, IED, International Commission of Jurists-Kenya Chapter (ICJ-Kenya), and other NGOs.
The public needs to revisit the matter of Regional Election Coordinators (RECs), Constituency Election Coordinators(CECs) and Managers. Do we have dependable, credible, non-partisan professionals, or partisan hirelings who would disappear with Form 3As? What happened to earlier claims of favouritism in this particular aspect of staffing? Was it swept under the carpet?
The issue of procurement of Biometric Voter Register (BVR) systems and other materials must be above board. If anything can bring this entire Commision down it would be involvement in shady deals which might end up with dangerous consequences. Isaak must not allow himself to be used to procure questionable equipment from partisan and biased characters. As the Waki and Kriegler Commissions both revealed, the bungling of the last elections had a direct role in causing PEV.
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Post by kamalet on Mar 30, 2012 15:52:14 GMT 3
I would imagine if they had been threatened by the PNU lot they would have had a similar complaint......you should be making a lot of noise after this complain that the IEBC was being threatened by characters within ODM.....though this would never be the case!
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Post by phil on Apr 2, 2012 15:57:20 GMT 3
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Post by job on Apr 4, 2012 20:51:20 GMT 3
IEBC must not dabble into the murky world of Anglo-Leasers! The backlash would be ferocious and widespread.www.marsgroupkenya.org/pdfs/august_07/KTM_REPORT_PAGES/Pages%20from%20KTM_report-50.pdfIEBC must vet all bidders. Simple due diligence can root out troublesome participants who might rob the entire election process much needed credibility. IEBC Chair Ahmed Issack and fellow Commissioners must understand they are indeed in a hot seat. Whether through scrutiny of records of Goldenberg, illegal mineral smuggling from Congo, Anglo Leasing tenders (IDs or computerization of Treasury), etc...the IEBC must do due diligence and quit playing with fire. They should not engage the services of shady characters who don't inspire confidence of the Kenyan public. What do they sincerely feel about Da Gama Rose – adversely mentioned in numerous reports from Kroll, Anglo-Leasing, Goldenberg, and other scandals? When IEBC openly engages the services of crooks with deep vested (patronage) interests in government, do they expect a clean outcome of the election? Watch this space! It might be revisited in due course.Kenyans are meanwhile tired of this ploy to illegally extend the tenure of Kibaki and the MPs: www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Kenyans+prefer+December+elections++polls+show/-/1064/1379858/-/um7pr5/-/index.html
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Post by phil on Apr 19, 2012 20:37:43 GMT 3
Omwenga job and other Jukwaaist in the USAYou may want to confront/engage with the IEBC Chairman when he makes an appearance to meet Kenya diaspora Mr. Issack Hassan, Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will visit the United States from 18th to 25th April, 2012. During this visit, the Chairman will meet with Kenyans on Saturday 21st April in Washington D.C.
Time : 4 pm - 6 pm
Venue: The Dupont Circle Hotel
1500 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Kindly RSVP to: diaspora@kenyaembassy.com
Karibuni!
****************************
Nairimas S. Ole-Sein
Counsellor
Embassy of the Republic of Kenya
2249 R St NW
Washington D.C. 20008
USA
Tel. No. 1-202-387-6101 Ext. 222
Fax No. 1-202-462-3829
Email: olesein@kenyaembassy.com
Website: www.kenyaembassy.com [/b][/blockquote] Matter of fact Mr. Hassan is not the US to meet Kenyans but at the invitation of IFES for this very important function. www.ifes.org/Content/Events/2012/Kenya-Elections-Building-a-Peaceful-Credible-Political-Process.aspx
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Post by Omwenga on Apr 20, 2012 1:33:30 GMT 3
Omwenga job and other Jukwaaist in the USAYou may want to confront/engage with the IEBC Chairman when he makes an appearance to meet Kenya diaspora Mr. Issack Hassan, Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will visit the United States from 18th to 25th April, 2012. During this visit, the Chairman will meet with Kenyans on Saturday 21st April in Washington D.C.
Time : 4 pm - 6 pm
Venue: The Dupont Circle Hotel
1500 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Kindly RSVP to: diaspora@kenyaembassy.com
Karibuni!
****************************
Nairimas S. Ole-Sein
Counsellor
Embassy of the Republic of Kenya
2249 R St NW
Washington D.C. 20008
USA
Tel. No. 1-202-387-6101 Ext. 222
Fax No. 1-202-462-3829
Email: olesein@kenyaembassy.com
Website: www.kenyaembassy.com [/b][/blockquote] Matter of fact Mr. Hassan is not the US to meet Kenyans but at the invitation of IFES for this very important function. www.ifes.org/Content/Events/2012/Kenya-Elections-Building-a-Peaceful-Credible-Political-Process.aspx[/quote]Phil,Not sure about "confronting" because as tough as I may be on these fora, I am always mum in these meetings, which I attend less and less the older I am getting--but will certainly try and check-it out. Too bad it was not back home I could dish a few shillings and bring along a handful of hecklers! ;D But seriously, I am generally an optimist but I long ago gave up on the usefulness of these meetings and conferences. The last time I was involved in any concerning Kenyan affairs was a series of meetings initiated and facilitated by the World Bank at the World Bank a few years ago meant to organize the Kenyan diaspora into an economic force to make a difference back home similar to what was successfully done in other countries but outdoing themselves the Kenyans involved managed to introduce the same nonsense that has killed one good Kenyan initiative after another it was pointless to be a part of it. I am now recalling something someone said at the late Michuki's funeral about how he used to say there was no need to have meetings to discuss a consultant's summary of a report prepared by yet another consultant--or something to that effect. Which also brings to mind the question I always ponder how come we have probably one of the best early African economists sitting in State House and acting as though he has no clue what it takes to grow our economy? Let the PNU-die hards give us at least five reasons that have nothing to do with Raila. |
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Post by phil on Apr 28, 2012 13:26:28 GMT 3
We said it. This is just half the story!!! Iko kitu.....
Tender wars risk elections
By ISAAC ONGIRI
Controversy has erupted over who will supply Sh3.5 billion worth of equipment and software to register voters for the General Election.
Three Cabinet ministers, three foreign diplomats, and three politically connected powerbrokers are among the many local and foreign players jostling for the lucrative contract.
The contest over the request for tender by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has sparked a battle that threatens to derail preparation for the polls.
Frustrated bidders say officials at the commission are rigging the process in favour of four foreign firms, a claim Chief Executive Officer James Oswago has denied. He, however, admitted that influential persons have tried to pressure IEBC to favour certain companies.
President Kibaki registers as a voter. [PICTURE: FILE/STANDARD]
"None of us is holding brief for any company," the Commission Secretary says. He urged unhappy bidders not to block the process with petty claims.
Investigations by The Standard On Saturday reveal that the process has turned acrimonious with three top Western diplomats allegedly visiting the IEBC’s offices separately to warn their governments would withdraw from a pool offering funding to the commission if the tender is not awarded to applicants from their countries.
There have also been challenges filed with the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) over the way the process is going.
These developments have led to fears that tender wars could disrupt plans for voter registration, throwing off IEBC timetable for the 11th and biggest ever General Election, slated for March 4, next year.
Investigations reveal that up to 15 companies, including Canadian election supplies firm, Code Incorporated, have been disqualified for various reasons. Some have complained that the IEBC failed to respond to questions about the tender directly, leading to their disqualification on technical grounds.
Others are seeking to exert political or diplomatic pressure on the IEBC to ensure they get their way as evaluations near completion.
When asked about the issue yesterday, Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa warned against interference with the commission’s activities.
"If there are issues with the tender, the law is clear on public procurement and it should be followed," Wamalwa said. "Ministers and anybody else should keep off the IEBC because it is supposed to be an independent organ."
Nasty complaints
The minister added that nasty complaints against the IEBC could erode public confidence in the body. PPOA officials have written to the IEBC demanding answers over some of the complaints raised about the tender.
The Electoral Commission is seeking a supplier for some 9,750 biometric voter registration kits to be used in electronic registration. The Treasury has set aside Sh2.7 billion for the project, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funding the remaining Sh800 million. A related tender for the supply of 35,000 laptops for voter identification systems, valued at Sh1.6 billion, has also been advertised.
"Yes, we have written an inquiry to the IEBC in regards to some complaints over tender IEBC 08/2011-2012 for supply of biometric registration solutions, but they have not responded to us," said PPOA’s Corporate Affairs Manager Lucy Barno.
"We have served them with a reminder written on April 12," she said.
Following a complaint over unanswered queries by Africa Infrastructure Development Company, PPOA asked IEBC to respond in three days. The commission remained silent, forcing the authority to write a reminder on April 12. To this it got a response after the request for tender was closed indicating the questions raised by Africa Infrastructure were answered in a document posted on the IEBC website.
The matter exploded after some bidders complained that IEBC was using an undisclosed clause to disqualify them and create room for favoured firms.
"There is a lot of shadowiness in this deal," claimed one of the unsuccessful bidders, requesting anonymity. "One of the companies listed as a front runner failed to deliver a similar product last year, delaying elections in Nigeria."
Another bone of contention is the bid bond window, the period over which those bidding for the tender put up money as security. Bid bonds are meant to show an organisation has the financial muscle and capacity to fulfil a contract. Bidders insisting on a bid bond period of 120 days say IEBC officials tipped four foreign companies to offer tender security for 150 days so the evaluation committee would score them higher.
However, Oswago has rubbished the claims.
"This is sheer nonsense and (shows) ignorance of the law. Even if they go to court to try to stop this process this will look frivolous and will be kicked out," he said.
The Commission Secretary says while the window stipulated was 120 days, bidders are required to get bonds that last up to 30 days after the tender validity period. He insisted bidders who fail to honour all mandatory requirements, including the tender security, would be disqualified. He admitted that the controversy could derail elections, and asked those complaining to read the law and allow the process to proceed.
"Several diplomats and politicians have been here to push for certain companies, but we have declined to play ball," Oswago said. "When time comes, we shall expose them."
IEBC Chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan said he was not aware of either the tender controversy or the PPOA inquiry, arguing that he does not deal with procurement.
"I am not in the picture of what is happening in regards to the tender," he said. "If there is an issue then I will ask the CEO to explain to me."
He, however, expressed concern that any hiccups could slow down the ambitious process that will see all Kenyans register electronically, reducing instances of errors, double registration, and ghost voting.
An evaluation report on the bids submitted to supply the registration materials will be handed over to the commission next week.
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Post by phil on Apr 30, 2012 15:43:35 GMT 3
The procurement deals are suddenly exploding at IEBC. Commissioners and management are engaged in a tug of war between preferred and well connected companies. Politicians are lobbying for their own companies and it is becoing nasty.
The story published in the standard was leaked by a disappointed bidder who was not even shortlisted from the original bidders list.
The Public Procurement Oversight Authority is paying a closer interest at IEBC and their letters for clarifications have gone answered. Should the PPOA suspend and/or cancel the process and order fresh tendering, the electoral time table is certain to be affected. But perhaps even more critical for the bidders, their proposed solutions and bid prices are now matters of public knowledge so fresh retendering will not really be competitive bidding.
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