Low turnout as voting gets underway in Kitutu Masaba

By Kenan Miruka, Robert Nyasato And Naftali Makori

Voting in the Kitutu Masaba by election got off to a slow start on Monday morning as candidates expressed fears that rainy weather may affect voter turnout.

Short queues were witnessed at Nyamwanga, Riakworo, Kiomakondo, Gesima, Kebirichi and Gesure polling stations.

ODM candidate Timothy Bosire cast his vote at Nyamwanga primary school polling station at 9.30am and exuded confidence that he would emerge winner in the poll.

About 400 voters had cast their votes at Nyamwanga polling station by the time Bosire cast his vote.

Security was tight as GSU personnel patrolled the constituency following attacks on former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara and two others on Sunday night.

"The exercise has been peaceful as people are keen to vote and choose their leader. As a democrat, I will accept whatever verdict voters give under legal practices," said Bosire.

He lamented that there were practical cases of voter buying by senior politicians and asked the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) to investigate the matter and take action.

He said ODM had lodged a formal complaint with the IIEC through the returning officer adding that he expected appropriate action to be taken.

PNU candidate Walter Nyambati was expected to cast his vote at Gesure primary school polling station later in the day.

Ford People’s Mwancha Okioma cast his vote at Riamoni polling station at 11am and expressed confidence that he would win the election.

KADDU’s Nyameino Atuti cast his vote at Ritibo primary school polling station and condemned violence in the polls.

Other candidates in the race are Zachary Ogongo (Narc), Nyambega Mose (Narc-K), Kengere Atati (KSC), John Moreka (DP), Francis Manyibe (FPK), Patrick Meroka (GNU), Dickson Mokaya (NPP), Reuben Okibo (NVP), and Obwaya Onsinyo (PPK).

The constituency has 69,000 registered voters spread across 138 polling stations. Results will be tallied at Nyambaria High school tallying centre.