Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has said he is optimistic that Azimio One Kenya Alliance will win.
According to Atwoli, everybody he meets is very enthusiastic, promising, and detailing telling them how they want to see Azimio team emerge as victors.
Speaking after casting his vote in Khwisero, Kakamega county, he commended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over the stringent measures they’ve taken to deal with any noted malpractice
“I want to take this opportunity to thank IEBC for the stringent measures they have taken to any noticed malpractice, they act very quickly. I am optimistic as an Azimio supporter that this is the best well-arranged election and we are going to win with a very big margin,” he said.
He also called on the government to put down measures to enable ballot papers to be printed locally instead of abroad.
Reacting to Monday’s move by IEBC to suspend election in four elective seats in various parts of the country following a mix-up in the printing of ballot papers, Atwoli said it is time for the printing to be done in the country since we have the capabilities.
“If these papers were printed here, they could have been rectified last night (Monday). Now we have to wait for the papers to be printed afresh in Athens, Greece. We have the government printing press, Dela Rue and so many other options. We don’t want to blame IEBC for that. But I am sure at a later gazetted time, we will be able to vote for our preferred candidate,” said Atwoli.
He is among the leaders who have already cast their votes.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has cast his vote at the Mutomo Primary School.
Uhuru arrived at 9 am and began looking for his name in the register before he could cast his vote.
He was accompanied by his wife and other friends.
Kenya Kwanza presidential flagbearer William Ruto and Martha Karua, presidential running mate to Raila Odinga of One Kenya Coalition were among the very first Kenyans to cast their votes exactly at 6am when official voting time commenced at Kosachei Primary School in Sugoi and Mugumo Primary Polling Station in Gichugu respectively.
Karua cast her vote exactly at 6am while Ruto accompanied by his wife Rachel Ruto voted at 6.15am.
Speaking shortly after casting her vote today morning, Karua said that Kenyans have a chance to determine which direction the country will take.
“I have voted. It’s our day to decide which direction our country will take… Make your voice heard,” she said.
She was the first person to cast her vote at Mugumo primary polling station in Gichugu constituency.
Karua noted that she would have come early but was redirected from her initial polling station after her details were found missing.
Raila casted his vote at Old Kibra Primary School polling station in Nairobi.