Man entices locals with 2kg of maize to register as voters

The quest to have many people register as voters has come with rather unusual measures to boost the voters' roll.

At Kapkoi market in Kwanza constituency, Trans-Nzoia County, a farmer is giving free maize to those who have registered as voters. This has resulted in long queues as locals line up to register so as not to miss the 2kg of maize being offered.

Benson Kiteru has several bags of maize meant for residents who turn up for the voter listing.

"I realised that the turn out has been low since the exercise started and decided to donate maize to encourage people to register," said Kiteru, who clarified that he has no political interests.

Only those who produced a voter's card were given maize. Most beneficiaries described the donation as a 'wonderful gift' considering the drought that has led to increase in food prices.

The cost of maize has shot up following persistent drought, with a 2kg tin selling at between Sh80 and Sh100 in the region.

Grace Wanyama was overwhelmed with joy when she received the 2kg of maize after flashing her voter's card to youths who were tasked with distributing the grain. "My children will enjoy a meal today. I didn't have money to buy maize and I'm happy to receive free maize," said the mother of five.

Arider John Oyaro said he was not in a hurry to register as a voter but the maize being offered forced him to abandon his business to go and register.

"I had no plans to turn up here to register as a voter but when I heard there is free maize, I suspended my business in order to benefit from the maize," he admitted.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission officials at the registration centre said the exercise had been boosted by the free maize distribution.

"At least we have registered over 100 people within a few hours after residents got wind that there is free maize," said an official who declined to be named because he is not permitted to speak to the media.