Voting in the Machakos Senatorial by-election has kicked off smoothly today morning.
However, there is low voter turn-out in all the 1,335 polling stations across the county though Machakos County IEBC deputy returning officer Salisbury Bilali said the voter turn-out is expected to improve during the day.
“Names of all the 11 candidates cleared for the Machakos senatorial by-election are on the ballot,” Machakos County IEBC returning officer Joyce Wamalwa while addressing reporters at Kathome polling station in Machakos Constituency said.
Machakos County has about 624,000 registered voters, according to data in Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) website.
The voting process took off under strict Covid-19 protocols with IEBC officials ensuring that voters are adhering to the Covid-19 measurements.
The voters had to wash their hands at various points strategically placed at the entrance of the school before queuing to cast their votes.
Polling clerks refrained from touching the electorates’ national identification cards.
The voters instead displayed them to the officials to read the details.
Wiper candidate Agnes Kavindu is expected to cast her vote at Kathome Centre at 10 am while her UDA challenger Urbanus Ngengele will vote at DEB Mwala Primary School polling station.
The Maendeleo Chap Chap aspirant Mutua Katuku withdrew on Tuesday and CCM candidate Lily Nduku in early February.
However, their names are appearing on the ballot paper since they never officially communicated to the electoral body.
They include; John Katuku (Maendeleo Chap chap), Agnes Kavindu(Wiper) Stanley Muindi (Party of Economic Democracy), Jonathan Maweu (independent), Francis Munyambu (independent), Sebastian Nthama (independent), Urbanus Ngengele (UDA), Simeon Kitheka (Grand Dream Development Party), John Musingi (Muungano) Lilian Mwanzia (Chama Cha Uzalendo) and Musembi Nthenge of Ford Asili.
A toll free number 988 has been provided for use by members of public to report any malpractice