Leaders from Nandi County have commended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for carrying out a seamless election exercise in the County.
Led by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, Senator Samsom Cherargei and Nandi Hills legislature Alfred Keter praised the electoral body for the smooth election exercise.
Speaking at St Peters Claver’s primary school in Kobujoi, Aldai Sub-County after casting his vote early Tuesday, Sang said the process has been running smoothly without major setbacks adding that the few hitches found were amicably solved.
“We acknowledge that the voting process went on very well with no cases of malpractices. We thank IEBC for the job well done,” he said.
The leaders further urged locals to remain calm and maintain peace during the vote counting exercise.
Cherargei noted that they were happy with the high turnout of voters in the county who came out to exercise their democratic right adding that every vote counts.
“We thank God the weather was favourable which enabled most people to come out in large numbers to vote. We appeal to our supporters to remain calm and maintain peace after elections,” he said.
Speaking at St. Francis Cheptarit Primary School in Chesumei Constituency, the senator expressed confidence that he will outshine his main rivals.
Among those who turned out to cast their vote in the same polling station is a 91 year old mother Emily Kalya who was brought in by her son.
She managed to walk behind her wheeled pair of walking frame into the polling station where she claimed to have been participating in every election circle since 1963, when Kenya got independence.
She stated that many things have changed in that, during their days, there was no sophisticated election procedure. Leaders were elected through acclamation, appointment and mlolongo model of election.
“Age does not disadvantage me from fulfilling my civic duty that’s why am here to vote for a leader who will bring development in the county,” she said
She was assisted in ticking the ballot papers against her preferred leaders she said to have known them since the political campaigns begun.
Keter who is facing a stiff competition from UDA candidate Bernard Kitur expressed confidence that he will beat his opponent in the heated race to retain his seat.
“I’m very confident that I will recapture my seat so that I can continue working for my people,” he said.
UDA women representative candidate Cynthia Muge praised the security personnel for the job well done adding that so far no security threat had been reported during the voting exercise.
The County has 406,288 total registered voters, in the six sub counties; Aldai, (78,005), Emgwen (66,940), Tinderet (51,446), Nandi Hills (57,910), Mosop (77,786) and Chesumei (74,201).
By Linet Wafula and Bethsheba Abuya
