Kiems kits failure, bribery claims dominate voting day in Migori

Migori county saw a huge voter turnout during Tuesday's election amid failure of the Kiems kits in several polling stations.

Voters blowing vuvuzela and whistles started queuing at the polling stations from 4am.

“The voter turnout has been huge, but we have experienced problems of Kiems kits failure in several polling stations in Nyatike constituency,” governor candidate Ochillo Ayacko said.

Ayacko spoke after voting at Sare Secondary School in Awendo constituency on Tuesday.

“We had some polling centres where ODM agents were restricted but we understand because we had many candidates on the ballot. Otherwise the process has been peaceful,” he said.

At Muslim Primary, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed cast his ballot and said some Kiems kits in his constituency failed.

“We had called for the manual register to be used and we hope before the day ends, a manual register will be provided to ensure all Kenyans are able to vote,” Junet said.

“We came in the morning and had long lines, but we hope we will vote. We hope a manual register will be used because the electronic one is very slow,” Anne Adhiambo, a voter at Sangla Primary School in Suna East, said.

Outgoing Governor Okoth Obado, his wife Hellen Obado and his family cast their votes at Rapogi Mixed Primary School.

Helen is also a woman representative candidate on an independent ticket.

Obado said the process was peaceful, but claim chiefs, their assistants and other civil servants were used to intimidate and bribe voters.

The Deputy President William Ruto Nyanza point man said other candidates had people in polling centres bribing voters.

“We know the will of the people will prevail, the process has been smooth apart from some public administrators instructed to push certain agendas,” he said.

Governor candidate under DAP-K  ticket John Pesa voted at Kanyadera Primary in Suna East.

Pesa said the process was peaceful and IEBC should ensure the results relayed are free and fair.

County IEBC returning officer Ben Moseti on Monday said they are ready to serve the 469,053 voters in Migori.

He said Migori has 378 candidates whose chief agents and agents have been overseeing the process.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)