IEBC repeats poll in Samburu, Kuria

By Mangoa Mosota and Michael Saitoti

Kenya: Voters in wards in Kuria East and Samburu North constituencies went to the polls on Monday after the exercise failed to take place on March 4 due to technical hitches.

The areas held polls to choose county ward representatives, with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials stating the exercises were marked with low turnout.

In Kuria, the exercise took place in Nyabasi West and Gokeharaka wards while in Samburu, Angatananyokie ward. IEBC official said the turnout would be about 50 per cent.

“The low voter turnout is due fatigue of locals after the March 4 General Election. There are also cases of cattle rustling that have created fear among voters,” said Kule Godana, an IEBC commissioner.

Ms Godana said voter turnout by noon was at 40 per cent.

She said the exercise was going on smoothly, with biometric registers working in all 33 polling stations.

She said results would be relayed to IEBC headquarters from Chinato Polytechnic where tallying took place. Nyanza South Regional Coordinator Kamwati Mwaura said there was adequate security, with 80 officers deployed for on Monday’s exercise.

“We prepared well for the exercise. There are no cases of names of voters missing from the register. Also there are no cases of violence,” said Mr Mwaura.

Kuria East Returning Officer Ben Njau said Nyabasi West has 6,644 registered voters, while Gokeharaka has 4,610. Nyabasi West ward had nine contestants, while Gokeharaka has eight.

No hitches

On the other hand, Samburu North Constituency IEBC coordinator Clement Otsiemo said the exercise kicked off well, adding most voters were determined to exercise their democratic rights. 

He said voters were using biometric machines and no hitches had been experienced during the exercise.

Candidates on various party tickets are battling out for the seat but the IEBC officer said the earliest the results could be expected was yester night.