All is set for Kenya's big day

Written By:Carol Gakii , Posted: Tue, Aug 03, 2010

With less than 24 hours to the referendum, preparations across the country are on top gear as the country braces itself for the historic moment.

At the Interim Independent Electoral Commission -IIEC- nerve center at Bomas of Kenya its all systems go.

Security has also been beefed up countrywide with nearly over 70,000 officers being deployed to guard the voting centers.

Police hotlines have also been set up to enable Kenyans to report any insecurity incidences.

On Monday, IIEC commissioner in charge of ICT Davies Chirchir said that all polling materials and personnel are already in place and assured Kenyans of a smooth exercise.

The IIEC started the distribution of voting materials to all the 26,000 polling centers by Monday.

Those who have registered up country are also expected to travel Tuesday afternoon.

The government, in addition to declaring August 4 a holiday, gave public servants who need to travel far to cast their ballots the afternoon off Tuesday to ensure they reach the polling stations in time to vote.

Meanwhile the YES and NO camps will this afternoon hold a joint press conference in Nairobi to appeal for peace during and after the referendum.