UDA presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua casts his vote at Sagana Primary School in Mathira constituency on August 9, 2022. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

UDA presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua cast his ballot early Tuesday morning at Sagana Primary School polling station, Nyeri County.

Gachagua arrived at the polling station at around 7:25am accompanied by UDA Mukurweini MP aspirant Kaguchia John.

His biometrics were taken by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials and then he was handed the six elective ballot papers.

Addressing the press after casting his vote, Gachagua who is also the Mathira MP expressed his excitement about the high voter turnout across the country alluding that Kenyans woke up as early as 3am to participate in the August 9 voting process.

"I am very excited about the high voter turnout as you can see across the country voters taking to the polling stations. I am also pleased with the peaceful situation so far. I want to appeal to everyone to be peaceful and to come out in large numbers to define the destiny of this great country," Rigathi said.

A polling clerk captures UDA presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua's aunt Gladys Karaba's fingerprints at Sagana Primary School in Mathira constituency, August 9, 2022. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Concerning the voting process, Gachagua praised the IEBC officials for what he termed as a "seamless process" expressing his hopes that the whole process will flow well.

"I am extremely pleased by the level of preparedness by the IEBC and in instances where the voter's biometrics have an issue, like the case of my 91-year-old aunty. The other options that they have taken are actually fruitful. It is impossible to introduce dead voters and stuff ballot papers," he added.