Bungoma by-election: Low turnout as top contestants cast vote

Raidon Wekesa Munoko an independent candidate in the Bungoma senatorial polls enters Bungoma Town on a donkey to depict the humble leader that he would be if elected. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Voting in the Bungoma senatorial mini-election kicked off on a low key as key leaders registered their presence at different polling centres to cast their vote in the race that has attracted eleven contestants.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, contestant Mwambu Mabonga of UDA and Wafula Wamunyinyi of Azimio la Umoja were early risers to vote.

At 6.40am Mabonga dropped his ballot at Mwiyenga Primary School (Bumula) as Wetang'ula's voted at Namakhele primary in (Kabuchai) at 6.41am.

Wamunyinyi closed the list of those who cast their ballots before 8am after he voted at 7.15am at Ranje Primary School in Kanduyi constituency.

The other candidates in the race are yet to vote.

The seat fell vacant after immediate former senator Moses Wetang'ula quit to contest for the position of National Assembly Speaker.

At least 646,612 registered voters are expected to elect their senator today in a contest that boiled down to a three-horse race pitting Mabonga who is supported by President William Ruto, Wamunyinyi backed by opposition leader Raila Odinga and Wafula Wakoli of Ford-Kenya backed by Speaker Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

The County Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) boss Grace Rono expressed optimism that the turnout would improve by the day.