After heavy rains in many parts of the country, Kenyans woke up to the much-awaited repeat presidential election. With the withdrawal of the National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga on October 10, there are those who will vote and those who will not vote.
On September 1, Kenya's Supreme Court made a landmark ruling that annulled the result of the August 8 presidential election and ordered a repeat election in 60 days. Chief Justice David Maraga said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had failed to "conduct the presidential election in a manner consistent with the dictates of the constitution."
After the ruling, President Uhuru Kenyatta said, "it is important to respect the rule of law even if you disagree with the Supreme Court ruling."
Following the Supreme Court ruling, the IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati promised to make changes ahead of the repeat election.
How Kenyans spent the day
In Kisumu, several polling stations remained closed as youths set bonfires and barricaded roads. Voting materials had not arrived in several polling stations. Several IEBC officials have been attacked while delivering ballot boxes and electronic kits.
Reports from Nakuru are that voting started without any hitches. However, in the morning hours, there was low voter turn out in many polling stations. Polling stations opened at 6 am with some centres in Nakuru Town East and Naivasha reporting long queues as early as 5 am. Those interviewed said they were impressed by the way IEBC had organized the exercise.
In Kericho County, prisoners in Kericho Medium Prison were allowed to vote. The officer in charge of the correctional facility said the voting began at 7 am with 9 out of the 13 inmates casting their ballot.
“So far some of the eligible inmates at the facility have cast votes. Other are still waiting for their time but we believe they will vote before the voting exercise closes at 5 pm,” said Opondo.
Voters are still making their way to the various polling stations.
In Nyeri County, long queues were witnessed in the morning. The voting exercise was peaceful and smooth. Retired President Mwai Kibaki joined the residents at Munaini Primary School polling station in Othaya where he cast his ballot.
From Migori County, there are reports of running battles between police and anti-poll protesters. Most polling stations were closed. Residents barricaded roads, set bonfires, paralyzed transport, insisting that no voting will take place in the county.
Voting materials had not arrived in polling stations. IEBC officers were also attacked by opposition supporters as they attempted to deliver voting material.
In Nairobi County, there are polling stations where voters have turned up in large numbers and in other areas, there has been a very low turn out. In the morning, police and Kibera residents engaged in running battles when anti-poll protesters tried to intercept transportation of election materials to the area.
In Mombasa County, poor voter turnout and chaos were reported in many areas in the county. At least 40 Jubilee Party agents failed to turn up at various polling stations during the voting exercise.
Kisii and Nyamira counties experienced low voter turnout in most polling stations. Youths kept off from the exercise with the elderly having thronged to polling stations to cast their votes. By 9am, less than 100 voters had cast their votes in most polling centers.
Former Minister and retired Kisii politician Simon Nyachae cast his vote at Nyosia primary school a few hours after his former personal assistant and current Education CS Dr Fred Matiangi cast his at Manga Girls in Nyamira County.
In Kiambu County, voting started at 6am in most polling stations, an area perceived to be, in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s stronghold. IEBC official said that voting kicked off smoothly, despite a generally lower turn out compared to August 8 election.
He, however, said the numbers were coming in steadily with voting taking place quickly since it involved only one ballot paper.
In Turkana County, low voter turnout was registered in most polling stations due to heavy rains hampering transportation of voting materials. IEBC official George Oyugi said the exercise was slow and peaceful.
