Agriculture CS Peter Munya has criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for ill-preparedness due to the postponement of the Mombasa and Kakamega gubernatorial polls.
UNITED KENYA: Agriculture CS Peter Munya at Muthara on Wednesday, August 3.
Munya said the suspensions may lead to low voter turnout. The two are seen as strongholds of Azimio La Umoja Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga. “You can imagine they will wait for another time to cast their votes. This time it has many challenges and you can imagine the people of Kakamega and Mombasa who won’t go to vote for the governor of their choice. Since it has happened, we hope IEBC learns from their mistakes,” Munya said.
However, Munya exuded confidence that Raila will win by a large margin. He spoke after casting his vote on Tuesday in At Nchui Primary School, Muthara Ward in Tigania East. At the polling stations at Ngage Secondary school, Ikana, Thai, Ngongoaka, Thathi and Miurine primary schools, there was low voter turnout in the early hours.
In most of the polling stations in Tangatha Ward, Tigania East constituency, the voting was slightly hampered by KIEM kits failure to recognise fingerprints from some voters, especially the elderly.
Meru Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu, who cast his vote at Mwithanga Primary School, took issue with IEBC officials for denying some of the Devolution Empowerment Party (Mbus) agents a role to observe the voting process. Ntuchiu urged Meru residents to turn out in large numbers and vote for a candidate with a development track record.
“I am confident [Governor] Kiraitu will win. I want to condemn one of our opponents whom we have got information about bribing voters at Tutua polling station. Once you vote go home, tune to your favourite TV or Radio to get updates of the outcome,” Ntuchiu said after voting.
He said Kenyans should exercise tolerance and accept the outcome of the results as announced by IEBC. Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi voted at Irimbene Primary School, while his opponent Senator Mithika Linturi voted at Urra Tea Buying Center.
Kiraitu asked candidates to exercise maturity during and after elections. He called on his competitors to accept the outcome and restrain their supporters from causing any disruption.
