Makueni: Low voter turnout in Kitise, Kithuki by-elections

Voters arrive at Kitise Primary School polling centre in Makueni County. [Stephen Nzioka, Standard]

Voting in Kitise, Kithuki mini polls in Makueni County is underway with a low voter turnout being witnessed.

A spot check by Standard Digital found that from 31 polling stations, it was only at Kitise Primary School polling centre where long queues were witnessed as early as 6.30am.

This particular station has about 1,029 registered voters which is sub-divided into two streams within the same primary school.

Voting kicked off at around 6am with heavy security presence being witnessed inside and outside various stations.

The police presence has been necessitated by recent incidents where Muungano party supporters and those of Wiper party have clashed in the past one week.

The ward has 10,353 registered voters according to the IEBC voter register.

The little-known ward has pitted Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana- who is supporting Joseph Kioko, a Muungano candidate and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who has thrown his weight behind Sebastian Muli.

Joseph Kioko of Muungano Party casts his vote at Mikauni Primary School. [Stephen Nzioka, Standard]

Kioko and Muli are the two candidates to watch in the race that has attracted seven candidates who voted in various stations earlier today.

Kioko voted at Mikauni polling station where he remained optimistic of clinching the seat. He noted that he will accept the outcome only if he loses the seat fairly.

“I am confident of winning this seat. I have taken rounds to various stations and the exercise is going on smoothly; no anomalies. In this race there will be a winner and many losers and if I losses I will have to accept and if others lose let the MCA elect be given time and serve the people,” said Kioko.

On the other hand, at Kitise Primary School some minutes past 9.00am, the Wiper candidate Muli cast his vote.

“I have seen the exercise is smooth and taking less time for every voter,” said Muli.

Angeline Mbithe, a voter, said she was happy with the way the exercise was going on.

Related Topics

Makueni By-Elections