Court of Appeal Sets Date for Ruling on Presidential Ballot Paper Tender Case

The Court of Appeal will make a ruling on the appeal case filed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Thursday next week.

The ruling regarding the presidential ballot papers printing tender will be eagerly awaited since it could determine whether Kenyans will go to the polls come August.

The five-judge bench is expected to either uphold or overturn a High Court decision to cancel the presidential papers printing tender awarded to Dubai-based Al Ghurair firm.

IEBC appealed after a three-judge bench of the High Court stopped the printing of the papers directing the polls body re-advertise the tender.

In the ruling, the judges faulted the IEBC for failing to consult all stakeholders directing that there should have been public participation in the tendering process.

However, during the first day of the appeal, IEBC lawyer Paul Muite warned that preparations for the presidential poll had been distracted by the case adding that there was limited time to start the tendering process afresh.

β€œWe will not have presidential ballot papers if we do not start printing on Tuesday as it had been envisaged. It is impossible for IEBC to kick start the tender,” he stated.

On his part, Attorney General Githu Muigai told the court that the country risk being thrown into anarchy if the election is not held on August 8.

β€œIt is a real nightmare as there is no single provision in the Constitution that provides what will happen if the general election is not held as dictated. There is no cure for the profound domino effect of skipping the presidential poll because it is a recipe for a government shutdown and social anarchy,” he warned.