•In some parts of Garsen, reports indicate that by 8 am voting had not started.
•In Galole the exercise began at around 6.30 am.
The voting exercise began smoothly in Tanariver County despite delays witnessed in the majority of polling stations allowing the over 141,096 registered voters to cast their votes.
Voting in Tana River started smoothly despite delays in the majority of polling stations.
Over 141,096 registered voters are expected to cast their votes.
Many stations had not started the exercise by 6am despite some people waking up at 4am.
In some parts of Garsen, reports indicate that by 8am voting had not started.
In Galole, the exercise began at around 6.30am.
The voter turnout is high and residents said they want to elect leaders of their choice.
Governor Dhadho Godhana voted at Handampia Primary School in Galole constituency at 8 am.
Addressing journalists after voting Godhana said the process was fast and efficient.
“It took only three to four minutes to be cleared and I voted in less than 10 minutes,” he said.
The governor said he was optimistic that the exercise will continue smoothly all over the county.
He called on the youth and the entire county to turn out in large numbers and vote for their preferred candidates.
The governor who is seeking reelection on an ODM ticket has attracted 13 candidates.
They include the first governor and former CAS Hussein Dado of UDA, Ali Wario of Jubilee, Hassan Morowa (PAA) Nuh Nassir (UPIA), Suleiman Buko (Ford Kenya) and Karhayu Deye (Communist Party).
Others are Adam Dhidha (The Service Party), Major Rtd Swaleh Odha Jillo, Michael Justine Nkaduda (The New Democrats), Salim Kea Batuyu-Independent, Athman Koffa Ndoyoya (ANC) and Omar Koffa Komora (United Green Movement party).
The senate seat has attracted 10 candidates while 13 women are vying for the Woman Representative position.
By the time of going to press, normalcy had returned in most of the polling stations.
Ali Bahola Jilo a former Tana River county council chairman said he was impressed by how IEBC officials were conducting the exercise.
Jilo called on the youth to turn out in large numbers to vote for the leaders of their choice.
“So far voting has started smoothly and we expect sanity all through,” he said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris