Wiper’s Agnes Kavindu Muthama takes an early lead in Machakos poll

Wiper candidate Agnes Kavindu Muthama is currently leading the Machakos Senatorial race.  

Provisional results show Kavindu is leading the Senatorial race ahead of her close contender Urbanus Ngengele of UDA party.

Results from Machakos Town constituency showed Kavindu leading with 16,738, followed by Ngengele with 3,266.

The low voter turnout was recorded at 19.48 per cent. The constituency has 110,073 registered voters.

In Kangundo, she continued to lead with 12,985, followed by Ngengele who garnered 1,096.

Machakos County is widely considered the lower Eastern's economic and political capital. It has about 624,000 registered voters according to data from the IEBC website. By constituency, as at the voters' list published by IEBC in 2017, Mavoko has 118,180 registered voters, Machakos town 109,877 voters and Mwala has 81,273 voters. 

Tallying is however underway at the Machakos University, and official results can be expected any time from 6am on Friday.

Voting kicked off at 6am on Thursday and closed at 5 pm, characterised by low voter turn-out.

Vote tallying began just after 6 pm, as heavily-guarded ballot boxes arrived at the Machakos University tallying centre.

Ballot papers being received at Machakos town constituency tallying centre. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Claims of voter bribery emerged earlier but by the time of going to press, the County Police Commissioner had not confirmed.

UDA candidate Urbanus Ngengele distanced himself from those arrested for bribing voters.

"I did my campaigns well and I don't need to bribe voters. My lawyers are working where some of my supporters have been arrested,” Ngengele said.

Maendeleo Chap Chap’s Mutua Katuku withdrew from the race two days to the polls, but his name was still on the ballot.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said he had not made an official announcement to that effect.

The race attracted 11 candidates.

The constituents are seeking to replace Boniface Kabaka who died in December while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital.

Ballot papers received at Machakos town constituency tallying centre. [David Gichuru, Standard]