Low voter turnout, delays mar Kajiado by-election

Kajiado, Kenya: Low voter turnout and claims of electronic voter identification devices (EVID) delays were reported during the Kajiado Central by-election.

Most rural areas were affected, with the low turnout being attributed to the drought season as majority of the youth have migrated in search of pasture and water for their livestock.

At Ngatatwek, a group of young men were arrested for allegedly robbing elderly women of their national identity cards in a bid to stop them from voting for a particular candidate.

Voters woke up as early as 6am to pick their representative from among the three candidates: Elijah Memusi (Orange Democratic Movement), Patrick Tutui (Jubilee Alliance Party) and Kantai Nkashuma (independent).

Some voters were, however, turned away after their names were said to be missing from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) register.

EVID hitches were also reported in Enga'boli Primary School. Voters had to brace the scorching sun as the devices took a while to display voters' details.

ODM Political Affairs Secretary Opiyo Wandayi protested the slowness of the exercise at the school. "We believe it is an artificial problem. This is one of our strongholds and when there is a hitch like this, we feel it is deliberate," said Wandayi.

Accept outcome

IEBC Communications Manager Tabitha Mutemi said they had received the complaint and the problem had since been solved. "We received the problem but it has been solved," she said.

The candidates cast their votes in the morning. Memusi cast his vote at Emisigio Primary School at 7.30am. Tutui voted at 10.15am at Il Bisil Township Primary School while Nkashuma was at Eng'aboli at 11.15 am.

Tutui appealed to his supporters to maintain peace throughout the process. "We have not received any reports of any hitch. We believe that I will carry the day. I am a democrat and I will accept the outcome," said Tutui.

Memusi said even though there were a few delays the process had been smooth and he hoped to win the coveted seat. "No major incident has been reported. I am sure this election is already won and we are just waiting for the declaration of results," said Memusi.

Nkashuma asked his competitors to accept the verdict and support whomever wins to ensure peace prevailed in Kajiado Central.

"I expect IEBC to conduct a free and fair election so that the people of Kajiado Central have the best candidate. Kajiado Central is bigger than the three candidates," he said.