UDA candidate Samuel Muchina casts his vote, impressed by turnout

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina has arrived at Huruma Primary School polling station in Ol Kalou town to cast his ballot, joining hundreds of residents who had turned out early to participate in the voting exercise.

Muchina was received by election officials before proceeding into the polling station to cast his vote.

His arrival came against the backdrop of a strong early turnout across polling centres in Ol Kalou, where voters braved the county's biting morning cold to vote.

Speaking shortly before casting his ballot, Muchina expressed satisfaction with the turnout, saying the large number of voters reflected the public's commitment to the electoral process.

"We are here to vote. We are here to exercise our democratic right. I am happy with the turnout. People have turned out in good numbers," he said.

Earlier in the morning, long queues had formed at several polling stations, including Kiganjo Primary School and Kiganjo Secondary School, where residents began arriving before polling officially got underway.

By 7 am, dozens of voters had lined up outside classrooms converted into polling stations, patiently waiting for election officials to begin the voting process.

Many residents were wrapped in heavy jackets, coats and sweaters to shield themselves from the chilly weather synonymous with Nyandarua county, but the cold did little to dampen their enthusiasm.

Huruma Primary School, where Muchina voted, also recorded a steady stream of voters from the early hours.

 By 7.30 am., orderly queues had formed as election officials guided voters to their respective polling rooms through designated entry points.

At the entrance to the polling station, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) displayed a voters' register showing that 587 registered voters were expected to cast their ballots at the station.

The atmosphere remained lively, with some voters raising their national identity cards while chanting, "Leo ni kupiga kura," as they entered the polling centre.

Others repeatedly shouted, "Niko kadi" before joining the queues.

A heavy security presence was maintained throughout the exercise.

Police officers were deployed within and outside the polling stations to oversee the process, while police trucks patrolled roads leading to the voting centres.

Security personnel stationed at the gates regulated access to the compounds, allowing only authorised persons into the polling areas as election officials verified voters' details before issuing ballot papers.

The polling stations featured multiple entry routes leading to different classrooms, helping ease movement and minimise congestion as the number of voters steadily increased throughout the morning.