Yesterday evening, shortly after 6.00pm, the counting of votes began in Siaya County. Most polling centres had an average of 65 percent voter turnout.
The Kenya News Agency conducted a survey shortly after the polling concluded. It found that the expected high voter turnout in the county didn’t materialize, as the long queues seen early in the morning melted away as the day progressed.
High voter turnouts were recorded at Migiro primary school, and Uyawi dipensary. All three are located in Bondo constituency. They recorded 80 percent and 70.58% respectively. The turnout at Siaya county assembly grounds was 67%.
KNA interviewed residents to find out if the slow pace of the KIEMS kit could have contributed to the outcome. Many people were unable to wait in the queues and left without casting their vote.
Dennis Otieno Opiyo Opiyo (Kevin Ouma) and Dennis Otieno Opiyo Opiyo (Awelo primary school voters) complained about the slow voting process.
“There were some people who could also not find their names in the list posted at the school gate and decided to leave,” said Opiyo.
Currently, the vote counting and counting is going smoothly at different centres. The police claim that there were few incidents during the voting exercise.
Michael Muchiri, the County Police Commander, stated that all was well and assured residents that the police would work around the clock in order to ensure that everyone was safe.
“Apart from a few incidents such as the early morning attack on an assistant chief in east Ugenya and another one where a mentally unstable man stabbed two people who were waiting in a queue to vote at Sigomere primary school in Ugunja constituency, the exercise was smooth,” said Muchiri.
By Philip Onyango
Source: kenyanews