The IEBC has today suffered a blow after the United Nations Development Programme declined to fund the October 26 fresh presidential election.
In a statement, UNDP noted that the National Treasury has provided sufficient funds for the electoral commission to conduct the repeat polls.
IEBC had on Friday, September 22nd written to National Super Alliance (NASA) CEO Norman Magaya indicating that the Commission had a financial agreement project with the UNDP.
According to the letter, UNDP had agreed to finance the procurement of ballot papers and result forms for the October poll.
"The commission has a financing agreement with UNDP, and in accordance to this agreement, has offered to procure ballot papers and the result forms.
"This assistance is meant to aid restore public confidence and trust in the integrity of the ballot papers and result forms, as well as address concerns raised by the Supreme Court,” IEBC's letter read in part.
Jubilee Party and NASA, however, rejected the move to involve UNDP in the ballot papers deal.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale criticised the proposal, arguing that it is against the law on the management of public money and asked the Treasury to throw out the proposal.
“Kenya is not a banana republic. The only places where the UN can conduct elections are Haiti and Liberia.
"Any election conducted with proceeds from the UN is illegal," Duale stated.
NASA Presidential candidate Raila Odinga also opposed the proposal and warned IEBC against hiding under the UNDP to have Dubai-based Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing to print the ballot papers.
“IEBC cannot hide under UNDP to help in sourcing for ballot papers. It is not a question of who will pay. We reject the offer,” Mr Odinga stated.
