A letter listing Jubilee Party contestants for the Kibra Constituency seat which found its way into the public domain on Monday, has now become the center of controversy facing, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and the popular party.
This comes after the electorate body confirmed that it indeed received the letter on Monday but has since been advised to disregard its contents.
IEBC in a short statement stated that the decision was made following the Party’s announcement on Monday which denied authoring the said letter and termed it as fake.
The electoral body, however, didn’t state who or how the letter was delivered.
“The Commission received a letter on Monday 26th August 2019 at 5pm, forwarding the names of aspirants of Jubilee Party for the Kibra by-election. However, it has come to the attention of the Commission that Jubilee Party has denied authoring the said letter and termed it as fake,” IEBC said in the statement.
“Consequently, the Commission has written to the party forwarding a copy of the letter for the party’s information and further action,” the statement further read.
@IEBCKenya received a letter, on Monday 26th August 2019 at 5pm, forwarding names of aspirants of Jubilee Party for the Kibra by election. However, it has come to the attention of the Commission that Jubilee Party has denied authoring the said letter and termed it as FAKE. ^EA
— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) August 27, 2019
Jubilee secretary Raphael Tuju disowned the letter after urging Kenyans to ignore its claims.
“This letter doing rounds online is fake news. Please ignore and treat it with the contempt it deserves,” the Party said.
Candidates listed in the party included football star Mcdonald Mariga, Morris Peter Kinyanjui, Walter Trenk Mukinyingi, Said Ibrahim and Doreen Nangame.
But who is lying? IEBC or Jubilee?
Amidst the controversy, State House Digital Director, Dennis Itumbi who was among the first to share the letter, maintains that the details of the letter signed and signed by Raphael Tuju are real and originated from the party leadership.
I stand by my update on the Kibra By-Election. Jubilee is going for Party Primaries. @IEBCKenya has the letter as attached. #SystemYaFacts pic.twitter.com/kSmoI4uCs8
— Dennis Itumbi, HSC (@OleItumbi) August 26, 2019