Kenya: Voters Make Huge Statement
December 27, 2007

An imposing chapter in the nation's democratic history unfolded on Thursday as millions of Kenyans suspended all business and turned up to vote in the 10th General Election.

It was the most powerful statement of Kenyans' desire to express their democratic right as everything else came to a stop and activity bubbled at polling stations.

Results from the massive process started trickling in last night as polling stations closed and counting got under way.

Reports from across the country indicated that the turn-out in the General Election would be the highest since Independence.

Scenes not witnessed in past elections were recorded from all corners — snaking long queues that had formed well before dawn and kept getting longer as the exercise progressed.

The nation woke up to a heavy mood of expectation and anxiety, with Kenyans destined for a common purpose that would end the grip of election fever that has engulfed it in the past few months.

The election was hit by logistical problems early in the morning that threatened to mar the sustained assurance of a smooth poll that the Electoral Commission of Kenyan (ECK) had promised.

But despite the tension, hitches and violent incidents, the process took on a face of peace, characterised mainly by a burning desire to vote.

The impact of the logistical problems was felt in Lang'ata constituency where ODM presidential candidate and former local MP, Mr Raila Odinga's name was among thousands missing from the polling register.

Tension started building up as it emerged that the problem of missing names — which affected names starting with certain alphabetical letters — hit many polling centres in the constituency considered Nairobi's hottest spot.

Anxiety gripped Lang'ata as Raila turned up at his centre at Old Kibera Primary, but left quickly for KICC to complain to the ECK that his name and thousands of others were missing.

Commissioner, Mr Jack Tumwa, reassured Raila that the problem was logistical and was being addressed.

Other reports indicated that several civic elections were cancelled after ballot papers reflected name mix-ups.

But the ECK moved fast to contain the situation.

The ECK Chairman, Mr Samuel Kivuitu, made a personal appearance at Old Kibera Primary School where Raila was to vote and ordered a fresh print of the voter's register that had the presidential candidate's name.

Raila later returned and voted and tension in the populous constituency subsided.

ECK also extended voting in Lang'ata by an hour to regain the time lost in the morning standoff.

ECK also announced the cancellation of civic elections in 15 wards across the country where by-elections will be held next year.

Cases of polling stations opening later than planned were reported in many areas, but the ECK later said voting progressed smoothly in the afternoon.

In at least four polling stations, ballots from other regions appeared, causing delay in the start of the process.

Parliamentary ballots meant for Bura, Tana River, appeared at two polling stations in Budalang'i.

Misplaced ballot papers

Ballots for Kipipiri, Nyandarua, were opened at a polling station in Ganze, Kilifi, while some more for the Central Province constituency were also found in a Kajiado North polling station.

There was tight security for the ECK centre at KICC, with the landmark building ringed with armed police officers.

Four roads that surround KICC will also remain closed until the presidential winner is announced, a police statement said.

Police headquarters explained the deployment of hundreds of GSU and Administration Police around KICC, saying unknown people planned to arm themselves with hand grenades to attack ECK officials while they announced the results.

Violence was reported in isolated pockets, but did not get out of hand.

At least four people died in election-day violence.

And a presiding officer was admitted to Ahero Health Centre with serious knife wounds after he was attacked by a youth in Nyando.

One person was shot dead and three others seriously injured when assailants opened fire at ODM supporters in Nairobi's Kibera slums.

Two other people were feared dead after Internal Security Assistant minister, Mr Peter Munya, ran into a hostile crowd near the Tigania East-Tharaka border.

His Toyota Prado car was burnt but he escaped unhurt.

Rongo Constituency was tense last evening after a man was killed in what was said to be a political revenge mission.

But the election had all the characteristics of a stiff competition and provided fodder for classic media footage as bitter political rivals turned up in their constituencies to vote.

Presidential candidates, ODM Pentagon members and Cabinet ministers were the top of the pick as they chose different times to cast their ballots.

President Kibaki went to vote at Munaini Primary School in Othaya, where he is a registered voter, at 10.40am. The First Lady, Lucy Kibaki, and son Jimmy accompanied him.

Raila, accompanied by his wife Ida, walked through a huge crowd who chanted in his support to cast his ballot at Old Kibera Primary School shortly after midday.

Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, accompanied by his wife Pauline, was driven to Tseikuru Primary School polling station near his Mwingi home to vote at 11.08am.

Rivals Vice-President, Mr Moody Awori, and Dr Julia Ojiambo, the ODM-Kenya running mate, voted in Funyula shortly after 7am.

Pentagon members, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Mr William Ruto, Mr Najib Balala, Mr Joe Nyagah and Mrs Charity Ngilu, voted mid-morning in Sabatia, Eldoret North, Mvita, Gachoka and Kitui Central respectively.

Livondo voted early

Other presidential candidates, Pastor Pius Muiru and Ms Nazlin Umar, voted early morning while Saba Saba Asili candidate, Mr Kenneth Matiba, voted in the afternoon in Murang'a.

Mr Stanley Livondo, who has hit the limelight for opposing Raila in Lang'ata, voted quietly early in the morning without attracting media attention at Madaraka polling station.

Scenes of top rivals were repeated across the country in an election said to be the most hotly contested ever.

Stability and smooth process were reported in most regions in the afternoon, but violent incidents continued to rock without derailing the elections.

Voting went on well in clash-torn Mt Elgon constituency as armed police officers were sent to keep the peace during elections.

There was calm in Kuresoi, with voters turning up at mobile polling stations, but for a reported hitch when ballot papers ran out.

The ECK process received a boost as key observers issued confidence statements that the electoral body had conducted a largely free and fair process despite the logistical hitches.

US Ambassador, Mr Michael Ranneberger, gave the polling process a clean bill of health despite the hiccups.

Ranneberger termed the voting as orderly and hoped that the process continued peacefully.

"It may be too early to give an authoritative verdict of the whole process, but so far I think the ECK has handled the process professionally. The report I am getting from the over 200 US observers paint a positive picture of the process," he said.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights also praised the Electoral Commission of Kenya for a job well done.

The chairman, Mr Maina Kiai, said in spite logistical problems, ECK had done a wonderful job in moving fast to restore the confidence of Kenyans.

"I am happy that the ECK has demonstrated that they know their job well. Despite hitches here and there, Kenyans can count on the commission to deliver," Kiai said.

Also praising the electoral process was Muslim for Human Rights, which issued a statement in Mombasa, saying the process had largely been free and fair.

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Source: All Africa
 

 
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