Millions more took turns between TVs and smartphones rummaging for news that would calm their nerves, with the race to State House balanced on a knife edge.
By late last night, the two were neck and neck as they alternated in the top position with a slim margin for the better part of the day.
However, several Azimio leaders claimed – without providing evidence – that their independent tally had given Raila an unassailable first-round victory.
By 9pm, Ruto had a slight lead of 50.9 per cent, which translates into 3,644,808 votes.
Raila on the other hand was at 48.48 per cent, translating to 3,473,642 votes.
However, these were the results of 23,251 polling stations out of the country's 46,229.
“The results from the polling stations are final. What you are seeing in the portal are the final results. There are no other results,” IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said.
Tallies by the Star show that Ruto swept votes in both Mt Kenya and Rift Valley's Kalenjin-controlled counties.
The DP also had a comfortable lead in Bungoma. He also had a slight margin in Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu.
However, Raila was leading at the Coast, Ukambani, Nyanza, Western, Nairobi and Northeastern.
By the time of going to press, Raila's tally in Nairobi stood at 62.1 per cent against Ruto's 37 per cent.
Raila was also leading slightly in Narok and Kajiado counties.
As predicted by most opinion polls, the two protagonists swept their backyards – scooping more than 85 per cent of the votes.
The former Prime Minister swept Nyanza, especially Luo-dominated counties of Siaya, Migori, Kisumu and Homa Bay.
Results from random polling stations in Luo Nyanza constituencies showed Raila’s political dominance in the area.
At Kondele Market 01 polling station in Kisumu Central constituency, Raila got 367 votes against 22 for his nearest competitor, Ruto.
At Amilo Primary School stream 01, in Muhoroni, Raila garnered 367 votes against Ruto’s two.
At Aolo Primary School stream 01 in Kasipul, Homa Bay, Raila scooped 325 votes with the DP getting zero votes.
In Bondo, Raila’s rural home, the AU special envoy secured 320 votes against Ruto’s two at Dago Primary School.
At Pap Olang’ Primary School in Ugenya, Raila got 288 votes against Ruto’s two.
Ruto largely avoided campaigning in the region. The DP did not set foot in Siaya and Homa Bay for the entire campaign period.
On the other hand, it was a clean sweep for the Ruto in Kalenjin-controlled counties in Rift Valley.
They are Bomet, Kericho, Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet.
Ruto’s UDA secured governor, senator, woman rep, MP, and MCA positions in the elections that accorded him the opportunity to stamp his authority as the region’s political kingpin.
At Kosachei Primary School stream 1 in Turbo constituency, Uasin Gishu where Ruto voted, he got 431 votes against Raila’s 14.
At Asis Primary School stream 01 in Moiben constituency, the DP garnered 275 votes against one for Raila.
Ruto got 198 votes against Raila’s 117 votes at A.H.P Workshop in Belgut constituency.
The DP was also much ahead of Raila at Cheboin Social Hall-01 in Nandi Hills constituency, Nandi county. He got 212 votes against Raila’s 19.
Besides his Nyanza backyard, Raila controlled his traditional bases of Nairobi, Coast, Lower Eastern and Western especially Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia counties.
In Nairobi, Azimio beat Ruto in most of the polling stations with his coalition poised to scoop more than 12 of the 17 constituencies including woman rep and senator seats.
In the Kamukunji constituency, Raila got 166 votes against Ruto’s 91 votes at Eastleigh Airport Primary School polling station.
At the Kirdi-01 polling station in South C, Langata constituency, the Azimio boss got 206 votes against Ruto’s 126.
Ruto, on the other hand, scooped as high as 70 per cent of the vote in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Mt Kenya home turf.
Ruto’s UDA also swept other seats including MP, woman rep, senate and governor seats across the region.
At Mutomo Primary School, the polling station in Gatundu South where Uhuru cast his vote, Ruto got 252 votes while Raila got 106.
At Mugumo Primary School 01 polling station in Gichugu, Kirinyaga county where Raila’s running mate Martha Karua cast her ballot, Ruto got 296 votes against Raila’s 120, the results that showed the DP’s popularity in the region.
However, low voter turn-out in Central could have denied him the magic tyranny of numbers as was the case for Uhuru in both the 2013 and 2017 elections when the turnout surpassed 85 per cent.
Raila’s performance averaged 30 per cent – a target his troops from the region had targeted in their plot to beat Ruto in the State House race.
The ODM chief has secured the support of seasoned politicians including President Uhuru and was largely expected to put a strong fight in the region that has voted against him for decades.
In Kirinyaga Central constituency, Ruto got 372 votes while Raila got 58 at Kangaita Primary School stream one.
At Gaitera Primary School stream one in Kiharu constituency, Murang'a county, the DP secured 342 votes compared to Raila’s 45.
In Laikipia, Ruto got 265 votes while Raila garnered 113 votes at Central Park polling station in Laikipia East constituency.
Despite Raila’s strongmen including Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho presence in Mombasa, the DP put on a good show in the county.
For instance, at Baraka Village polling station in Changamwe constituency, the DP got 112 votes compared to Raila's 222.
In Jomvu, Raila got 171 against Ruto’s 117 at Adinnah Open Grounds in Jomvu constituency.
In Nyali, Raila got 122 votes at Kengeleni Primary School compared to Ruto’s 233 votes.
In Lamu, Raila got 084 votes at Basuba Primary School stream one in Lamu East against Ruto’s four votes.
Despite Ruto’s securing the backing of seasoned politicians such as Governor Amason Kingi and Aisha Jumwa, Raila beat him in most of the stations in Kilifi.
In Malindi constituency, Raila got 123 votes compared with 114 of Ruto at Miwani Primary School stream one.
In Kilifi South, the ODM boss got 203 against Ruto’s 14 at Dindiri Primary School stream two polling station.
At Jila Primary School stream two, in Ganze constituency, Raila got 210 votes while the UDA candidate garnered 29 votes.
In Taita Taveta, Raila garnered 276 votes while Ruto secured 45 votes at Mazola Primary School polling station in Mwatate constituency.
The two are locked in an epic battle in Narok, Kajiado, Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu and Trans Nzoia counties.
At Kimama Secondary School stream one in Kajiado South, Raila got 118 votes while Ruto bagged 178 votes.
In Kajiado Central, the Azimio candidate got 73 votes while Ruto garnered 153 at Esukuta Primary School polling station.
In Narok North, Raila got 202 votes against Ruto’s 176 votes at E.C.D Community Nursery School -01 polling station.
In Narok East, Ruto got 129 votes against Raila’s 39 at Sekerot polling station. Raila got 259 votes at Erorogi Primary School in Narok East constituency.
The ODM boss got 109 votes against 115 votes of the DP at Gorofa Primary School I Kilgoris constituency.
In Kajiado South, Raila got 241 votes against Ruto’s 178 at Amboseli polling station.
Raila got 164 votes in Jua Kali Shed 01 station compared to Ruto’s 183 votes.
The Northeastern region also remained a battleground with the results from the areas showing the two are in a close contest.
In Mandera, Raila got 174 votes against Ruto’s 39 votes at Damasa Centre polling station in Lafey constituency.
Raila got 62 votes at Gumar Centre polling station in Mandera North while the DP got 28 votes.
In Wajir, Raila garnered 30 votes against Ruto’s 91 at Abaq Halul Primary School polling station in Wajir South constituency.
In Marsabit, Raila secured 198 votes while the DP got 56 votes at Moyale Township polling station in Moyale constituency.
In Isiolo South, Raila got nine votes while Ruto secured seven votes at Korbesa Primary 01 polling station.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
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