Low voter turnout in Elgeyo Marakwet senatorial by-election

 Elgeyo Marakwet senatorial candidate William Kisang casts his vote at Chebiemit Primary School. [Stephen Rutto, Standard]

Voting in Elgeyo Marakwet started smoothly on Thursday morning but was largely characterised by low voter turnout in several polling stations.

By 10.20 am, only forty-four (44) voters out of the registered 407 had cast their votes at Chebiemit Primary School polling centre where former Marakwet West MP William Kisang, a candidate in the senatorial by-election, voted.

Election officials said many voters might have gone to other duties such as farming since it is a maize harvesting season in most areas of Elgeyo Marakwet.

There were no queues in several polling stations including Iten, Uswo, and Kaptomut Primary Schools and several other areas where The Standard did spot checks.

Speaking after casting his vote, Kisang said candidates expected a 50 percent voter turnout in the election to replace former Senator Kipchumba Murkomen who was appointed Roads and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary in October.

"We are appealing to Elgeyo Marakwet voters to turn out. This is a by-election and we urge them to take it seriously. We understand that this is a maize harvesting season but we expect at least a 50 percent turnout," Kisang said.

He said the process is ongoing smoothly in insecurity-prone Kerio Valley.