Raila Odinga allies on path to victory as results start streaming in

Although a number of candidates had opened wide margins against their opponents, some races were still too close call after a tally of votes from half of the polling centres in a number of constituencies and wards.

By Wednesday evening, Raila's foot soldiers led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, Kisumu West MP hopeful Rosa Buyu, Suna West MP Peter Masara, Muhoroni's James Koyoo, Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyongo, Migori governor seat aspirant Ochilo Ayako as wells as Kisii's governor seat candidate Simba Arati were leading their opponents by wide margins.

One of Raila's biggest foot soldiers, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed effortlessly bagged a third term after garnering 26, 516 votes.

The legislator won by a landslide with former Kileleshwa MCA Elias Okumu coming a distant second with 4,978 votes.

In Alego-Usonga, the incumbent Sam Atandi retained his seat, and was declared the MP-elect by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries commission returning officer.

In other areas, ODM appeared to have regained the seats it lost in previous elections and had bagged almost all the MCA seats in Kisumu and Siaya.

Its candidates for parliamentary seats were also ahead as indicated by preliminary results.

In Kisumu West, curtains appeared to have started falling on incumbent Olago Aluoch's three terms as ODM's Rosa Buyu opened a significant gap.

Buyu who had been facing stiff competition from the lawyer appeared to be on course to finally dislodge Olago from a seat he has held since 2007.

As at 6pm, preliminary results indicated that she had already garnered 20,991 votes against Olago's 9, 912 votes. The figure, however, represented less than half of the votes cast.

In Ugunja, area MP Opiyo Wandayi also appeared to be on a victory path after opening a margin of about 10,000 votes from his closest rival Fredrick Oyugi. By 5pm, Wandayi had garnered 14, 221 votes against his opponent's 3288.

Oburu Oginga who is eyeing the Siaya Senate seat, yesterday said that they were optimistic ODM will win almost all the seats in the region.

In some parts of Nyanza, residents broke into song and dance after some candidates conceded defeat even before the final tally was concluded. In Suna West, supporters of ODM's Peter Masara broke into song and dance after results indicated that he was leading.

Philip Kajimba conceded defeat and congratulated ODM's Peter Masara for his early lead. "I take this opportunity to congratulate Masara whom the people have decided should take the mantle for this Sub-county. Let us all give him the necessary support he requires," Kajimba said.

In Kisumu, a tally of results from several polling stations in Muhoroni Constituency showed that ODM's senate aspirant Tom Ojienda had bagged a majority of votes.

Although the final votes were yet to be tallied, results from 20 polling stations showed that his closest opponent, -Jubilee's Enos Okolo, had garnered a paltry four votes.

In Homa Bay, preliminary results showed Woman Representative Gladys Wanga behind former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero in the race for the governor seat.

In Homa Bay Constituency, Wanga had garnered 9,318 votes against Kidero's 11, 078. This was after IEBC tallied results from 66 polling stations out of 125. In Nyamira, a number of MP candidates were all smiles as they waited for the final declaration as preliminary results placed them in the lead against their opponents.

Steve Mogaka who has unsuccessfully contested three times for West Mugirango was showing signs of winning after initial tallies showed that he had received 17,100 votes.

The incumbent, Vincent Kemosi of UDA , had according to preliminary results garnered 16,200 votes with Rogers Moturi of ODM getting 15,000.

Joash Nyamoko (UDA) may retain his seat after provisional results placed him at 17,800, ahead of Isaac Atebe of UPA who garnered 12,300.

Kitutu Masaba is likely to have Clive Gisairo of ODM as the MP as he was ahead of incumbent Shadrack Mose of UDA. ODM was also likely to get another seat from Borabu Constituency after preliminary tallies showed that Patrick Osero was in the lead.

Amos Nyaribo, the Nyamira governor, was also in the lead with votes from 180 out of 300 polling stations by the time of going to press.

More results were being awaited from 343 other stations.

His close challenger, Walter Nyambati of UDA, appeared to be getting more votes from his Kitutu Masaba stronghold where he will likely score more than Nyaribo and five other contestants. A tight contest is also being witnessed in the Woman MP race between the incumbent Jerusha Momanyi of Jubilee and Emily Kwamboka.

After tallying votes from 22 centres in Nyamira, the two were separated by only 200 votes.

[Reporting by by Harold Odhiambo, Stanley Ongwae and Anne Atieno]