Smooth voting exercise in Nyandarua and Laikipia counties

Residents of Laikipia and Nyandarua counties thronged polling stations to vote in the fresh presidential elections despite heavy rains in the counties.

Laikipia West Returning officer John Kinyua said that no hitches had been reported and that the voting exercise was going on smoothly.

In areas where heavy rains had pounded on Wednesday night, he said that residents persevered the slight showers and had come out to vote.

“We have so far not witnessed any ugly incident all over Laikipia west. The exercise is going on well and we are planning to close at 5 pm as planned,” he said.

He noted that there was a huge voter turnout in the region.

“The polling stations have been thronged by many voters unlike last time. We expect the numbers to rise,” he said.

In Nyandarua, leaders continued to offer free transport to voters who did not make it on Wednesday from Nairobi.

Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau said that this was meant to make sure that the region recorded a 100 per cent turn out.

“This is a Jubilee stronghold and that is why we are offering free transport to voters. The elderly and the sick have also been offered free transport to make sure that every voter turns out,” she said at Ritaya primary school.

In Laikipia North Returning Officer Gacheru Mbogo, said that all polling stations were opened at 6 am and the exercise went on uninterrupted.

“There have been no unusual incidents in this region. The exercise is going on smoothly as expected. All the materials arrived on time despite the heavy rains,” he said.

Laikipia North MP Sarah Lekorere told The Standard that they had done proper mobilization of voters and that was why there was no apathy.

“This is no longer a NASA zone but a Jubilee region. We have sensitized residents on the need to take part in the elections and that is why we have recorded a high voter turnout” she said.

She noted that her office was also offering transport to the needy and the elderly so that they can take part in the exercise.

However, at Katundura polling station, the voting exercise was slow with low number of voters tuning out to vote. According to residents, the attributed this to voter importation in the recent polls.

“Some leaders had imported voters from Samburu to participate in the August elections. This time round, they did not transport them back to vote since they lost in the elections,” said Munyiri Mutitu, a resident.