Polling officer dies as Kenyan poll kicks off

Written By:Rose Kamau/ , Posted: Wed, Aug 04, 2010

IIEC chairman Isaak Hassan says 90 % of polling stations opened in time for the referendum exercise though there were slight delays in a few areas despite the voters turning up as early as 5am.

Hassan blamed the delays on various reasons including natural calamities including harsh weather conditions.

He cited Marakwet West where the presiding officer died Tuesday night following a short illness.

The officer who was a teacher at Queen of Peace Secondary School in Marakwet District, had on Monday evening been admitted to AIC Mission Hospital in Kapsowar complaining of chest problems.

An accident in Turkana Central also caused a delay in opening of the exercise in the area. A helicopter was dispatched to airlift voting material and officers to polling station.

In Galole, one polling station had not commenced operations by 11.30 am as polling material and officers were stuck 27 km away following heavy rains pounding the area. Hassan says arrangements are being made to deliver them to the station.

In Lake Turkana four polling stations had been inaccessible as boats could not cross the lake but Hassan says a police helicopter has been dispatched to airlift the material.

He said the confusion that marred the exercise especially in Nairobi had been ironed out adding that members of the media should be allowed full access to polling stations without being required to take the oath of secrecy. He however urged the media to respect authorities at the polling stations and the privacy of voters.

Once again Hassan reiterated that IIEC was committed to a free and fair poll and was addressing all complaints as they are received at the Bomas tallying centre.

Meanwhile deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has expressed optimism that Kenyans would endorse the new constitution.

Uhuru who cast his vote at Mutomo Primary School urged Kenyans to iron out differences that rose during the campaigns and embark on streamlining the new law.

At Thika Stadium, there was a slight delay in the exercise following a mix up of names.

In Mombasa, there were delays in a few polling stations with the media personnel being denied access inside the polling stations despite having accreditation from the IIEC.

Voting at Kagujo primary school kicked off at 6.30am behind schedule while at Fort Jesus polling station there was also a delay with voters complaining that the IIEC officials were not following procedure because they were calling in voters alphabetically.

Tourism Minister Najib Balala said the outcome of the referendum vote should herald a rebirth for the country.

Speaking at the Patel Samaj hall in Mombasa where he cast his vote at 8.15 am, Balala stressed on the need for all Kenyans despite their affiliations to maintain peace and respect the outcome of the referendum vote.

"You possess the greatest weapon to change the destiny of this nation so use it wisely," he said.

"Kenya shall remain united whether the No or Yes side wins since it is not about politics but the constitution of this country which should be respected", he added.

Earlier, former Kisauni member of parliament Anania Mwaboza cast his vote at the Kagujo primary school in the constituency while the incumbent Ali Hassan Joho voted at the Star of the Sea primary school at around 9.30 a.m.

Mombasa Island has an estimated 300,000 registered voters.

NCCK Secretary general Canon Peter Karanja said the No camp would accept the referendum results if the exercise is free and fair.

Canon Karanja also predicted a big win for the no camp when he cast his vote at Thiririka Primary school in Juja. He however called for a peaceful referendum.

The church has been in the forefront in opposing the proposed law citing clauses on the Kadhis' courts and the 'abortion clause'.