Nyamira voters protest use of IEBC registers in primaries

Cord leader Raila Odinga (Left) shares a word with Nyamira governor John Nyagarama during the funeral of Peris Nyaboke | PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI |

What you need to know:

  • Voting at Nyamira polling centre was temporarily affected when voters protested the use of IEBC registers instead of ODM party ones.
  • Voters said it was in bad taste of the party to use IEBC register and demanded an explanation.
  • The centre's returning officer Ms Florence Kebuba had told journalists that both registers will be used, sparking protests mainly from drunk voters.

Voting was temporarily affected at Nyamira polling centre after voters protested the use of IEBC registers in ODM party primaries.

Majority of the voters said they wanted ODM party registers to be used and not the IEBC one.

They turned up as early as 6 AM to pick the party candidate in the governorship race.

Governor John Nyagarama will cast his vote at Nyamotureko polling centre any time from 8AM.

His main challenger, West Mugirango MP Dr James Gesami will cast his from his home turf at Ikurucha Primary, Bogichora.

CAST THEIR BALLOT

Debutante Dr John Kumenda will also cast his vote at Keroka Farmers polling centre.

At Nyamira Primary Primary School where more than 4000 voters are expected to cast their ballot, voters said it was in bad taste of the party to use IEBC register.

The centre's returning officer Ms Florence Kebuba had told journalists that both registers will be used, sparking protests mainly from drunk voters.

"We are using both to ensure only the right people cast votes." she told the Nation.

At the centre, voters turned up as early as 6 in the morning.

VEHEMENTLY PROTESTED

Mr Gucha Raphael, a voter, vehemently protested against the use of the IEBC register saying it may lack the names of some voters .

"This is not a General Election where we use the IEBC register.  We need an explanation on how they arrived at this," he posed.

Similar concerns were raised by Dr Gesami and Kumenda at a press conference in Kisii town yesterday.

They turned rowdy, singing ODM and banging doors giving two police officers manning the centre a hard time.

By 8, long queues of voters were lining to cast votes.