All eyes are on Kenya as the nation awaits the outcome of the repeat election conducted yesterday following the nullification of the August 8 elections. The previous election was annulled by the Supreme Court following a petition by the official opposition party National Super Alliance (NASA) on the basis that it did not comply with constitutional provisions. Yesterday, a section of the voters boycotted the exercise following a call by the opposition leader Raila Odinga, who argued that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was not in position to deliver a credible election. Odinga early this month announced that he was withdrawing from the exercise, citing lack of confidence in the electoral process and the credibility of the electoral commission. He asked his supporters to boycott the exercise. But his name appeared on the ballot papers as he had not signed an official withdrawal form. In parts of the country, media reports indicate that protesters engaged police in running battles in an attempt to disrupt the exercise and frustrate the delivery of election materials by authorities. This saw the exercise kick off late in some areas while it did not in others. The calls for boycott and the protests likely led to a low voter turnout in the polls compared to the 19.6 million voters in August. By press time, three people were reported dead and scores injured in violence. Two of the deaths were reported to have happened as protests raged in opposition strongholds in the west of the country, while the third person reportedly died in a Nairobi slum where clashes erupted between demonstrators and police. Election commission chief Wafula Chebukati announced that voting in several counties, including Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori and Siaya was postponed to October 28. Kenyans in Rwanda cast vote Parts of the country considered to be strongholds of the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta however voted calmly. By press time, counting of votes was underway but no preliminary results had been announced yet. In Kigali, Kenyans living in Rwanda voted at the Kenyan High Commission in Kacyiru. Polls opened at 5am local time and about 875 voters were expected to take part in the exercise before closure at 4pm local time. Vote counting started thereafter after which it emerged that only 286 voters participated. Incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta received 272 votes while Raila Odinga garnered 7 votes. Kenyan Ambassador to Rwanda John Mwangemi told The New Times that the process took place smoothly. He explained that all election materials were available. In the August poll, turnout was reported at about 80 per cent among the 19 million registered voters. Kenyatta had garnered 54 per cent of the vote, while Odinga came second with 45 per cent. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
