The Homa Bay senatorial by-election started off on a low key as polling stations opened at 6 am Thursday morning.
Voters are slowing streaming into the 878 polling stations in the county.
A few incidents have been reported by the leading contenders that include violence and voter bribery. IEBC has 326,505 registered voters expected to take part but from a spot check by 2pm its unlikely that the voter turnout will surpass 60% mark!
Voter apathy is blamed on the bungled ODM nominations. ODM’s Mooses Kajwang’ is expected to win owing to a well oiled campaigned that was led by the entire CORD top leadership. The low voter turnout is a confirmation that indeed choices have consequences.
There are eight candidates vying for the seat that fell vacant after the death of Otieno Kajwang’ who suffered a Heart attack in November 2014.
The candidates gunning for the seat are ODM’s Moses Otieno Kajwang’, Bernard Owuor Otieno of the National Vision Party, Philip Okundi from Maendeleo Democratic Party, Fred Rabongo of the National Agenda Party, and Hillary Alila, Edwin Matete, Innocent Masara and Professor Luke Misama who are independent candidates.
The candidates casted their ballots in various polling stations across the county with the exception of Kajwang’ who is registered in Nairobi county.
IEBC voting regulations do not require an aspirant to be registered in the region they are contesting, but only requires them to be a registered voter.
Voting will close at 5 pm, but IEBC said anyone who will be on the queue at the time of closing will be allowed to vote.
Security has been tightened at the polling station with two officers per voting center. Plain cloth officers have also been posted in areas of the county to deter violence.