Wetang’ula trashes talk on ballot tender
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula yesterday dismissed claims he colluded with a Greek firm to interfere with the printing of the August 9 General Election ballot papers even as the Azimio-One Kenya brigade maintained he should be investigated over the issue.
Wetang’ula was responding to claims that he was working with a Greek firm that has been given a tender to print the ballots in a calculated move to manipulate the next election.
“I have no interest whatsoever in any paper business. I don’t trade in printing business. I have no business interest in printing ballot papers. I am a full-time politician and lawyer who sometimes strays into farming,” said Wetangula in Kitale.
“The names of foreigners they indicating are not known to me. This could be crude forgery by the ODM high command in collaboration with the so-called Deep State. It is a smear campaign targeted on all our colleagues in Kenya Kwanza,” said the Ford Kenya.
But a section of Azimio la Umoja leaders yesterday called for proper investigations to be conducted to establish the relationship between senator Wetangula and the Creek Company awarded the tender to print General Election ballot papers by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Led by Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli they alleged a plot by Kenya Kwanza team to interfere with General Elections by influencing the printing of election materials.
“ We are aware of their tricks and plans of planning to interfere with General elections by influencing the printing of the General Election materials. Their plans will not succeed and we are asking the IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati to be alert,” said Atwoli.
Lugari MP Ayub Savalu said they want Directorate from Criminals Investigations (DCI) to conduct thorough investigations on the link between Wetang’ula and Greek company awarded to the IEBC tender.
“We are calling upon the DCI to conduct investigations on senator Moses Wetang’ula relation with the Greek company that was awarded tender to print the general election materials,” said Savula.
IEBC tasked
Atwoli said Azimio will win the Presidential race on August 9 without any help asking Chebukati to ensure IEBC conducts credible elections.
“Azimio does not need help from anybody even the IEBC or President Uhuru Kenyatta to win the presidency. What I know Raila will win the presidency without help and what we need IEBC to do is to conduct credible elections,” said Atwoli.
Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi dismissed Azimio team allegations saying their claims are a sign of fear of election results. Mudavadi while addressing various rallies in Vihiga county asked the Azimio team to give IEBC time to prepare for free and fair elections.
“Our opponents in Azimio have started sensing defeat and that is why they are disturbing IEBC’s preparation for elections. They claim to be the Deep State but they are making noise. We are asking them to give IEBC time to focus on delivering credible elections,” said Mudavadi.
At the same time, Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya dismissed Mudavadi’s forays in the former Western province on behalf of his Kenya Kwanza team, saying would bear no fruit.
“Mudavadi is going round telling people that they have been promised 30 per cent of the government slots if Ruto wins the Presidency. Those are empty promises which they will not achieve. In Azimio, Luhyas have already been promised key slots of the finance minister, Senate Speaker and the Defence,” said Oparanya.
Oparanya was accompanied by Vihiga governor Wilber Ottichilo MPs Chris Omulele (Luanda), Godfrey Osotsi (Nominated),Oku Kaunya (Teso North), Raphael Wanjala (Budalang’i), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Elsie Muhanda (Woman Rep, Kakamega), Paul Otuoma, Busia County governor candidate.
The leaders said they will ensure Raila wins the majority of votes in Western region and many candidates on ODM win many seats. Osotsi the Azimio campaign coordinator in Vihiga county said he will ensure Raila wins many votes in Vihiga county.
