At least 48 prisoners in Kilifi prison exercised their democratic rights to vote within the prison premises in a rare dispensation allowed by the constitution.
Officer in-Charge of the prison Safari Charo said the registered inmates have been given their democratic right to elect the president of their choice.
He said the exercise was delayed and started at 8.30am as the inmates had to undergo counting and other prison requirements.
He said those persons who had been registered at the prison and later released on bond are also allowed to come in and vote as it is their constitutional rights.
The prison’s polling station presiding officer Hawaa Ibrahim confirmed that the exercise commenced at 8.30am after following all the institution’s protocol and revealed that the media was not allowed to cover the voting process.
Meanwhile in Kabarnet GK prison in Baringo County six prisoners also joined the rest of Kenyans in electing their preferred presidential candidates.
Officer in charge of the prison, Charles Mwangangi, told KNA at the prison grounds that the six were however allowed to vote for presidential candidates only as stipulated in the constitution.
“We are here to witness our inmates cast their votes today to choose leaders of their choice for a better future and they are happy to have participated in this democratic exercise,” he said.
Mwangangi noted that there were no hitches experienced during the exercise adding they finished early.
Area polling station presiding officer Alice Chepkirui said the exercise began at around 11am and ended at 2pm.
She revealed that three inmates could not vote as they lacked identity cards.
By Harrison Yeri, Treeza Auma and Caroline Cherono
