The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has clarified claims that a fresh batch of ballot papers that had touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) was being held by the airport security.
Reports had indicated that security agencies were spotted at the busy airport inspecting what appeared to be ballot papers meant for the August 9 General Election.
In a statement dated Thursday, July 21, the Commission clarified that the reports were not factual.
Instead, the security agencies at JKIA had been tasked with verifying stickers used in labelling election materials before the scheduled countrywide distribution.
"Information circulating that government security agencies at JKIA have detained ballot papers allegedly imported into the country outside the indicated schedule of election materials is fake.
"The correct position is that today morning (July 21), the Commission received stickers to aid labeling and distribution of election materials. The JKIA security agencies in their normal procedure were trying to validate the stickers with the Commission," read the statement in part.
With only 18 days left to the August 9 polls, the Commission is racing against time to ensure that election materials are delivered on schedule.
Agents of Azimio la Umoja as well as Kenya Kwanza have already flown out to Greece to inspect the ongoing printing of ballot papers.
Over recent weeks, IEBC has had to clarify multiple reports of the arrival of ballot papers with a majority of the perpetrators accusing the Commission of planning to favour one political coalition.
On July 7, for instance, IEBC chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, dismissed claims that some ballot papers would be delivered into the country from Uganda.
"Let us stop misinforming Kenyans and have a peaceful election," he explained maintaining that the ballot papers "are secure for the election, there is nothing like extra ballot papers like some politicians have claimed."
The printed ballot papers will be secured with special features.
