Counting of votes kicked off shortly after 6.00pm yesterday evening in Siaya County where most of the polling centres recorded an average of 65 per cent voter turnout.
A survey by the Kenya News Agency shortly after conclusion of the polling showed that the anticipated high voter turnout in the county did not materialize as the long queues that were witnessed early in the morning fizzled out as the day progressed.
Among the polling stations that recorded high voter turn outs were Migiro primary school and Uyawi dispensary, all in Bondo constituency that recorded 80 per cent and 70.58 per cent respectively. At Siaya county assembly grounds the turnout was 67 per cent.
According to the residents interviewed by KNA, the slow pace of the KIEMS kits could have contributed to the turn of events as several people who could not wait longer in the queues left without casting their votes.
Kevin Ouma and Dennis Otieno Opiyo, voters at Awelo primary school complained that the slow kits affected voting.
“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.
Meanwhile, vote counting and tallying is going on smoothly at various centres with the police saying that they recorded minimal incidents during the voting exercise.
County Police Commander, Michael Muchiri said that all was well and assured the residents that the police will work round the clock to ensure everybody was secure.
“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
