As Kenyans continue to turn up to vote for their preferred candidates the turnout generally remains low.
At least 6,567,869 voters had turned out to vote in the ongoing elections as of noon, equivalent to 30.66 per cent of the registered voters.
In Starehe Constituency, there was a relative turnout in Moi Avenue Primary School, Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), and Technical University of Kenya respectively.
At Moi Avenue Primary School, the polling station recorded 300 voters who had cast their votes translating to 43 per cent.
“We are glad about the one-week IEBC training that was vigorous and thorough although the process is slow. We have not recorded any error or mistake in the ballot papers during voting,” said Nick Noah, the Presiding Officer at Moi Avenue Primary school.
In the TUK polling centre, three voters experienced hitches after their fingerprints could not be identified by biometrics. However, they used manual registration.
Bishop Margaret Wanjiku, UDA’s Senatorial candidate for Nairobi county cast her vote together with her mother at the Technical University of Kenya Polling center, Starehe constituency.
“I’m feeling good expecting to win by God’s grace, we are hoping even our presidential Candidate William Ruto will emerge the winner and the whole team of UDA,” said Bishop Margaret Wanjiku.
In Roysambu constituency, there was confusion at Kahawa Baptist Primary School polling station after the voting center was moved to Kahawa west market.
According to the Presiding Officer, there was no communication offered.
“The polling station was moved from the school with no communication as to why the station was moved to Kahawa Market,” stated the Presiding Officer.
He further noted that the voting process has been smooth and no challenges have been experienced so far amid relative voter turnout.
“The KIEMS kits are working perfectly and security has also been beefed up,” he said.
However, hospitals in Kahawa West ward were closed such as St Joseph Mukasa Healthcare center which had been closed from yesterday until tomorrow.
Through a notice to the public, the facility was closed until tomorrow at 7:30 am.
“The hospital will be closed from Monday, August 8, 2022, and be opened on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 7:30 am,” read the notice.
In the Westlands Constituency, the voting process began with hitches after some commotions were experienced in the morning due to delayed delivery of voting materials.
Ether Pasarris was among the leaders who arrived early at their polling center to cast her vote at Farasi Lane Primary, in the Westlands constituency.
The incumbent area MP Tim Wanyonyi had to wait for over three hours at the Kenya Technical Teachers College (KTTC) in Gigiri to cast his vote which started at around 9:30 am.
He however exuded confidence in clinching the position.
“I am quite confident and we are also hopeful that IEBC will carry out a fair and credible process for all of us. The way I see the process is peaceful and looks orderly I am hoping like this all around. I want to urge everyone to come out and vote peacefully and as leaders, we will respect the will of the people,” said Wanyonyi.
The voter turnout in Utawala Constituency was huge.
At the Utawala Academy polling centre, a lot of people turned up early to vote for leaders of their choice.
The process started rather slowly due to people queuing in the wrong lines. However, the IEBC officials took charge of the matter and directed unaware voters to their correct queues.
In the wee morning hours, there was a bit of confusion after a lot of people were not sure of the room numbers they were allocated and were supposed to be voting in.
Many sent the required text messages in order to get a verification on the matter, but the service was down.
“I am sending the message and it is taking ages for me to receive a reply. Yet when you send the text you are charged money by the service provider”, lamented one of the voters.
The voting process proceeded well and there was absolutely no commotion or disruption whatsoever.
There were however no ballot papers or boxes for the Member of County Assembly (MCA) voting after IEBC postponed their elections.
This was due to the death of the MCA candidate Michal Mwathi Gitonga, who was vying for the seat under The New Democrats Kenya Party (TND).
He lost his life in a tragic road accident.
Most areas in Kiambu county, residents exercised their rights peacefully with most polling stations opening on time and polling officers confirming all KIEMS kits were in place and perfectly in shape.
Kiambu Senatorial hopeful Michal Waikenda exuded confidence that he will become the next Senator as he cast his vote at Gathiriga Nursery School, Gatundu South.
He thanked Kenyans for coming out in large numbers and urged those who have not yet voted to come out and exercise their duty by casting their ballot.
He will be fighting against his close rival Karung’o Thang’wa of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and 10 others as he seeks to replace Kimani Wamatangi who has since shown his interest in the Counties govern ship seat.
The country is hoping for a peaceful transition of power after almost a decade under President Uhuru Kenyatta, but concerns about vote-rigging linger after past election disputes spiraled into bloodshed.
More than 22 million people, about 40 per cent of them under 35, are registered to vote in this year’s polls.
DeputyPresidentt William Ruto, 55, is running against Raila Odinga, the 77-year-old veteran opposition leader now backed by longtime rival turn friend Uhuru Kenyatta after a stunning shift in allegiances.
With the votes cast, only time can tell who between the two will come out on top as Kenyans wait patiently for a peaceful transition.
IEBC in a press conference said it had detected only 200 malfunctions of the Kenya Integrated Management System (KIMS) kits.
Commissioner Justice Nyang’aya downplayed claims that the kits being used as the primary voter identification tool had failed in most of the polling stations countrywide.
“What we have received is 200 failures of the KIEMS kit of 46,229. It’s not widespread; technology does break down, and when they do, we have a mechanism to rectify it. That’s normal, and there is nothing ideal out of it,” said Nyaganya.
The Commission had allocated six kits to serve as a backup in every ward.