It’s all systems go as voting materials reach stations

Election materials were on Monday dispatched to polling stations across the country, setting the stage for Tuesday’s General Election, as electoral officials in most areas told the Nation the delivery went on smoothly.

This was, however, not so in Baringo South Constituency as the transportation of ballot papers was temporarily paralysed after drivers ferrying the materials protested their terms of payment.

More than 130 drivers claimed they had been short-changed by a contractor.

Mr Joseph Lagat said they had earlier filled some forms indicating that they would be paid by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“We fail to understand why there are middlemen yet the electoral commission indicated they will pay us,” said Mr Lagat, who led the protest. “We will not ferry the material until we agree on the terms and rates of payment.”

Contacted, the region’s returning officer, Mr Kones Kipkor, said IEBC advertised the tender to supply the materials in April and only four companies won the tender.

TRANSPORTATION

“We only considered a few locals to assist us with the transportation,” said Mr Kipkor. “We urge the drivers to cooperate with the contractor.”

Makueni County Commissioner Alex Nkoyo and IEBC director Aisha Mohammed oversaw the distribution of materials to all 1,061 polling stations.

In Ainabkoi Constituency, returning officer Sally Chesang’ said: “We are ready to go. All the materials have been distributed to the polling stations.”

On the disputed Migingo Island, IEBC said it would send five officials and police officers to conduct the elections.

Nyatike IEBC returning officer Wesley Ruto said there was sufficient security for the officers to spend the night on the island, which was said not to be among the 528 polling centres in Migori County affected by lack of mobile telephone network.

BALLOT PAPERS

“We are ready and sampling ballot papers with observers, aspirants and agents in Nyatike,” said Mr Ruto. “Migingo will be among polling centres to cast their votes on Tuesday.”

Bomet County IEBC manager William Ndung’u said all materials had already been dispatched to the five constituency tallying centres for onward transmission to the polling stations. He said the county had 322,012 registered voters spread over 728 polling stations.

“This time round, the IEBC had made all the former streams to be independent polling stations with their own presiding and deputy presiding officers as opposed to the past, when the streams used to be manned by one presiding officer and a deputy,” said Mr Ndung’u.

He said IEBC had recruited 4,368 clerks and 1,055 queue clerks.

The officer also said that, for efficiency, satellite transmission gadgets had been deployed at all tallying centres and in the 10 polling stations without 3G network, 2G network will be in use.

FINALISE WORK

In Kisii County, election materials safely arrived in Bobasi Constituency, sub-county returning officer Moses Daula confirmed.

“It’s all systems go now as we finalise work,” Mr Daula told the Nation at Nyamache Boys Secondary School tallying centre. “The commission has acquired the logistics necessary to ensure everything moves smoothly.”

Bonchari Constituency returning officer David Cherob said preparations for the voting were complete.

“We have sent 102 deputy presiding officers, 648 clerks to various polling stations in the constituency,” said Mr Cherop, adding that materials would be distributed to 121 polling stations.

Nyamira County IEBC coordinator David Towett said all systems were in place to ensure smooth polling.

HEAVY RAINS

“The only challenge we are likely to face is heavy rains pounding this area, which might prevent voters from turning out in large numbers,” said Mr Towett.

At the Coast, electoral officials said they were ready for the polls. At Changamwe Constituency, election observers witnessed the inspection of ballot papers at the Kenya Medical Training College, Port Reitz, which was led by Changamwe returning officer Aisha Abubakar. They ascertained that ballot papers were adequate and well sealed.

Ms Abubakar, however, prevented non-IEBC personnel from handling the ballot papers, saying: “I cannot trust anyone in here; so, politicians, stay away.”

She then asked everyone to leave.

In Kiambu County, distribution of materials went on without a hitch. IEBC officers who spoke to the Nation said all personnel were trained on their use.

POLICE OFFICERS

“We have enough polling materials…we have dispatched them to the polling centres,” said Geoffrey Gitobu, Thika Constituency returning officer.

“In fact, they have been escorted to their respective polling stations by police officers,” he added.

The constituency has 230 polling stations and 147,323 registered voters.

The same was also witnessed in Gatundu South Constituency, whose deputy returning officer Gladys Wanjiru said: “So far so good.

No hitches. We have security and are ready for the distribution of the materials.”

At Mutomo Primary School, where President Uhuru Kenyatta will vote, workers were sprucing up the station.

“He has always voted here,” said Mr John Ndichu, the school’s board of management chairman.

“We are excited that he will come here as President. This is a first for us. We hope he wins the seat.”

Reports by Florah Koech, Pius Maundu, Magati Obebo, Mary Wambui, Wycliff Kipsang, Abigael Ruto, Geoffrey Rono, Dennis Lubanga and Vivere Nandemo