BY PETER ATSIAYA
Supporters of US Presidential candidate Barack Obama raptured into early celebration in Kisumu after a mock voting showed their candidate had won by a landside.
Obama, the Democratic Party candidate got 342 votes to floor Republican McCain who managed 46.
The Obama supporters, most of them young men and women, burst into song and dance moments after Mr Lawrence Oyange, who was in charge of the exercise, announced results at Oile market at around 11.20am.
Supporters of US presidential candidate Barack Obama queue for a mock voting exercise in Kisumu. They said the voting, which was also conducted in various polling centres in the lakeside town, was a reflection of their support for Obama. Obama ‘polled’ 342, beating McCain who garnered 46 votes.
The Obama 'victory' put the lakeside town in a celebration mood as the residents watched the international TV networks for the actual results from the US.
Business at the busy market was temporarily interrupted as Obama's supporters celebrated his victory with chants of Obama! Obama! His supporters, waving Obama portraits and dancing joyfully, were a spectacle.
The mock poll conducted at various places within the town started on a slow pace with only a handful voters but gathered momentum as more queued to cast their ballots.
Tallying was then conducted at the Oile Market in an exercise that attracted both local and foreign journalists.
Curious police officers patrolled the 'voting centres' to ensure peace prevailed.
"These results reflect the outcome of the real US elections. Obama would emerge victorious," shouted Mr Moses Omondi, a Kisumu resident.
Mr James Owino, who voted for McCain, said he was happy that his candidate had fans despite overwhelming support for Obama.
"Many McCain supporters did not turn out to vote, he said.
But the exercise organised by 'Big Time Comedians' did not end without drama.
The vote counting was interrupted after some of the voters accused Oyange of plotting to rig the polls in favur of McCain.
Trouble started after Obama supporters threatened to beat up Oyange who had stopped the exercise to answer a telephone call.
The angry Obama supporters shouted: "You want to rig. Why are you talking to McCain?"
Some grabbed Oyange and attempted to snatch his phone before he interrupted the telephone call and proceeded with the vote counting.
The residents had cast their votes at polling stations opposite former Ukwala market, Central
Square on Oginga Odinga road and the main Municipal Council market.
"The exercise was free and fair. There were no ugly incidents and we are happy with the way people turned out to vote," said Oyange.
"Voters are contented because we did not delay to announce the winner and they participated in the counting exercise."
The 'results' were also announced in a local vernacular radio stations broadcasting from the town.