Heavy security, a large voter turn-out and reports of voter bribery have characterised the Nyangores MCA by-election taking place on Friday.
No incidents were reported at any of the 30 polling stations but more officers were deployed following the bribery claims.
Police in uniform and plain clothes mounted patrols across the ward in Bomet county while others stood guard outside poll stations and at the main tallying centre at Kyogong Secondary School.
A spot check at Chebirir, Kapkwen, Sugurmeka, Kapkemoi and Kyogong established that a large number of voters turned up at early as 6am.
The ward's
11,312 registered voters are expected to participate in the exercise to fill the seat that fell vacant following MCA Cecilia Towett's death in a road accident in Narok county in October 2015.
Richard Leitich of the Jubilee Party is battling out with close contender Andrew Maritim of the
People’s Patriotic Party of Kenya, associated with Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto.
Convention Benard Terer is Convention Party's candidate in the race.
Leitich cast his vote at 7am
at Nyambugo Primary School while Maritim and Terer voted at Chebirir Primary School.
In separate addresses to the press, Leitich and Maritim said they were confident they would win.
“People in this region are not ready to move out of the ruling government; they are not about to vote for a different party. The campaigns we did showed they are in the party to stay. I believe I will be declared the winner," Leitich said.
Maritim said: “I did my campaigns in a tremendous manner. I am optimistic that the exercise will end smoothly. If all goes well, and by God’s will, I will carry the day."
The poll is being tipped as a political rivals
Deputy President William Ruto and Rutto.
Rutto accused Jubilee and the IEBC of the Kericho and Nyangores by-elections in favour of the party's candidates.