Residents celebrate and sigh in relief as Uhuru takes poll

Nakuru residents celebrate President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election. [Photo: Kipsang Joseph]

Thousands across the country turned out in large numbers yesterday to celebrate the declaration of President Uhuru Kenyatta as the President-elect.

In Nyeri County, hundreds of residents took to the streets to celebrate Uhuru’s re-election after the October 26 repeat presidential poll. Uhuru’s supporters were jubilant as Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati declared Uhuru the winner after garnering 7.4 million votes.

Nyeri, a Jubilee Party stronghold, had more than 80 per cent voter turnout, with Uhuru getting 382,000 votes. The residents expressed their satisfaction and trust in the Jubilee government’s leadership, saying the President would fulfil his promises to the country in his second term.

Taxi operators jammed the streets hooting as residents broke into song and dance following the declaration. Nyeri Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga congratulated the President on his re-election, saying Nyeri believed in the Jubilee agenda. “Uhuru subjected himself to the Constitution and won fairly. Our country needs to move on from the political season,” he said.

Celebrations also erupted in Kiambu County, which is Uhuru’s home turf, when he was declared the winner of the repeat election ordered by the Supreme Court following the nullification of the August 8 presidential poll results. Business in major towns across the region came to a standstill as Uhuru’s supporters - chanting slogans and waving twigs and placards in support of the President - celebrated. Residents who spoke to The Standard said they were happy with the IEBC declaration.

 “I am the happiest person today. God has answered our prayers and handed the President another win irrespective of the setback by the Supreme Court,” said Jessica Wangari, a resident of Kiambu town.

In Gatundu town where Uhuru comes from, residents marched while chanting pro-Uhuru slogans and carrying banners bearing messages in his support. The residents said the announcement should bring politicking to an end and called on National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga to accept the verdict.

“It is high time the country moved forward. The time for politics is now over and we want our country to move on. The Opposition should accept the verdict of Kenyans and move on. They will live to fight another day,” said Joseph Kung’u from Mutomo in Gatundu.

Gatundu residents vowed to host a major party to celebrate what they said was Uhuru’s second win in less than three months. “We will slaughter several cows and goats to celebrate the President’s win. The celebrations will also be used to thank God for this second victory,” said Nelson Njoroge.

Kiambu County, which has 1.1 million registered voters, voted overwhelmingly for the President-elect. He got 915,878, representing 98 per cent against Raila’s 4,704 votes (0.51 per cent). The Opposition leader, who boycotted the election, came second with 73,222 votes Jubilee supporters in Tharaka Nithi County were led by Governor Muthomi Njuki in welcoming IEBC’s declaration of Uhuru as the President-elect, saying it was an important steps towards restoring normalcy in the country.

The governor said the election stalemate had stagnated the entire country. “We are looking forward to the swearing-in of the President so we can get back to developing the country.” The majority of residents were glued to their television screens as they watched events at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi unfold.

James Kirimi, a businessman from Chogoria, said he was expecting business to get back to normal as the year comes to a close. At the Nkubu bus terminus in Meru town, Jubilee Party supporters celebrated with slogans and calls for peace. “We have been waiting for such a day. Today we are happy President Kenyatta has been re-elected and we can resume business, which has been paralysed or affected in other ways,” said taxi operator Barack Muriiki.

In Uasin Gishu County, Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi led residents in celebrations. Business came to a standstill as Jubilee supporters poured onto the busy streets singing and waving banners.

Some even had teddy bears bearing the words “Happy birthday Uhuru Kenyatta”. “We are happy Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory has been confirmed,” said Benjamin Letting, a resident. “It was long overdue but we thank God who has made this happen. The past few weeks have not been easy.”

But in Kisumu County, rowdy youths lit bonfires and blocked roads with stones to protest Uhuru’s declaration as winner. Tension began gripping the lakeside town late in the afternoon, with businesses closing for fear of violence.

Motorists moved their cars from the streets, leaving Kiwumu town deserted as protesters began blocking the roads. In Kondele, youths chanted antiJubilee slogans while dismissing the poll. They claimed the results had been rigged despite Opposition leader Raila Odinga not being in the contest.