Low voter turnout leaves electoral officials idle in deserted polling stations

Voting across several constituencies and wards was marked by low turnout.

Despite sustained efforts by politicians to convince voters to cast their ballots in the by-elections, many chose to stay away from the polling stations.

Election officials were kept idle in some areas as a few voters trickled in. For one unaware, it would have been hard to tell some stations were polling stations.

In Ugunja, Siaya County, the exercise kicked off smoothly with polling stations opening at 6am as scheduled. However, queues were short, with some having fewer than 20 people.

The ODM candidate Moses Omondi, who voted at the Siror Primary School, raised concern over the low turnout, but claimed it is normal in a by-election.

"But I call on those yet to vote to do so. Some agents have not voted, and this could affect the final numbers,” he said.

He noted that the constituency risks recording less than half of its 60,114 registered voters.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirmed that all 116 polling stations were operational by the official opening time.

“We expect turnout to pick up gradually over the course of the day,” one election official noted. However, by 4pm only a handful of voters had turned up.

In Baringo, the situation was so bad that some polling stations recorded as low as only four per cent turnout for the senatorial by-election.

At the St Mary's Primary School in Mogotio, for example, only about 4 per cent of the 1,162 registered voters had cast their ballots by 10am.

The situation was replicated at the Shimoni Primary School and Bondeni nursery school in Eldama Ravine.

Six candidates battling for the seat that fell vacant following the death of William Cheptumo were Kiprono Cheburet (UDA), Steve Kipruto (RLP), Daniel Kirui (UMP), Shadrack Kaplawat (ARK), Benjamin Chebon (The New Democracts), and Samuel Letasio (KMM).

Kipruto, who voted at Bondeni nursery school in Eldama Ravine, played down the matter, but alleged voter bribery. "I have raised the issue of bribery with the election officials and even the security team," he said.

Chemitei voted at the Kamailel Primary School in Baringo South, where only 35 out of 436 registered voters had cast their ballots by 1pm.

Speaking after voting at the Shimoni Primary, Governor Benjamin Cheboi urged voters to come out in large numbers.

In Malava Constituency with 198 polling stations, tension from campaign violence kept some voters away.

"I have opted to go to my farm because it is pointless to go to a polling station where goons are roaming freely," said a voter.

In Kaburengu, some residents claimed they were attacked by goons who were being escorted by police. They claimed the goons vandalised a hotel and vehicles.

With 790 registered voters, many did not cast their ballots. Some of the candidates hoping to the late Malulu Injendi were David Ndakwa of UDA and DAP-K’s Seth Panyako.

In Magarini, Kilifi, low turnout and claims of bribery marred the exercise as voters went to the polls to elect their MP.

Kilifi North MP Ken Chonga was ejected from the Kanagoni Polling Station as angry youth questioned his credentials as the ODM chief agent.

“I am going round monitoring the voting exercise,” he Chonga said.

Kanagoni was seen as the stronghold for the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Stanley Kenga.

There were no queues at Kwa Ndomo, Kibokoni and Mjanaheri polling stations for the better part of the day.

“I cannot tell why many people are not coming out to vote, but I am happy that the process is peaceful,” said Christopher Kalama after voting at Kwa Ndomo.

IEBC cleared 10 candidates to woo the 80,128 registered voters. Samuel Nzai and Hamadi Chadi Karisa later said they had dropped out in favour of Kenga, the former Adu MCA who was the United Opposition candidate, while John Masha backed ODM’s Harrison Kombe, whose election was nullified.

Other candidates were Sarah Gakahu of the Kenya Moja Movement, 25-year-old Amos Kalama (Independent), Emmanuel Kalama (The We Alliance Party) and Jacob Kwicha of the Federal Party of Kenya.

Meanwhile, at least 50 police officers were deployed to the Mapimo Primary School.

“We also have plainclothes police officers to ensure the exercise is as peaceful as possible. Anyone who thinks of starting violence should think twice,” said Returning Officer, Joseph Mwafondo.

In Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay Count, the process kicked off well across all the 142 polling stations in an effort to get the successor of the late Charles Ong’ondo Were.

The voting exercise began at 6am in all the five wards. However, there was low turnout in almost all the polling stations in East Kamagak, West Kamagak, West Kasipul, Central Kasipul, and South Kasipul wards.

Residents praised security agencies for restoring calm in a constituency that had been in the spotlight for violence during the campaigns.

John Owuor, a voter at the Agoro Sare Primary in West Kagak Ward, said fear of violence contributed to the low turnout.

“We did not expect the peace we are witnessing here. This calm is very good, and it should continue till the end of the exercise,” he said.

However, violence incidents were reported in some areas. Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma was among those who were assaulted by goons.

Report by Isaiah Gwengi, James Omoro, Mary Imenza, Stanley Ongwae, Julius Chepkwony, Patrick Beja, and Jane Mugambi