Kibra by-election tallying underway

Polling stations in Kibra Constituency have been closed and voter tallying already began.

As night fell, residents stood in groups waiting for the decision on who will represent them in Parliament.

Gas lights were lit as darkness engulfed the stations as voting was underway.

Voters who were lining up as when polling stations were given a chance to vote.

The polling stations across the constituency were opened at 6am to a smooth start of voting throughout the day, although a low voter turnout was reported.

Some of the reasons cited included the fact that the majority of Kibra residents are low-income earners, who had to go to work. The vote fell on a weekday.

Many leave their places of work for home at 5pm, which is when most polling centres were closing their gates

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) through a tweet said, “At the tallying centre, the Returning Officer will consolidate the results on all form 35A into form 35B, declare the winner and issue them with a certificate.”

The electoral agency has further advised inquisitive Kenyans that electronic transmission of results only applies to presidential elections.

ODM’s John Mbadi and Simba Arati are reported to have been seen on ground moments before polling stations closed as well as Jubilee’s candidate for the parliamentary seat McDonald Mariga.

Mbadi, who is the ODM party chairman said that the party will concede if their candidate Imran Okoth loses. “If ODM doesn’t win the election, there is nothing we can do.”

He also condemned voter bribery witnessed today in some fields terming it barbaric. “Those involved in voter bribery should be punished and barred from future polls,” Mbadi echoed.

Mbadi also commended police and supporters who were on high alert.

ODM has fielded Bernard Imran Okoth while Ruto’s Jubilee has ex-football sensation McDonald Mariga.

The two are touted as the front runners based on the spirited campaigns that they have staged in the chase for the votes.

There are more than 118,000 registered voters in Kibra.

The constituency has five wards – Makina, Laini Saba, Sarang’ombe, Woodley/Kenyatta Golf Course and Lindi with 118,658 votes.

Laini Saba 17,455 voters, Lindi 16,688, Makina 25,695, Woodley/ Kenyatta Golf Course 28,066 and Sarang’ombe 30,754.

The by-election has attracted 24 candidates following the death of MP Ken Okoth in July after a protracted battle with cancer.