Samburu West voters boycott poll in fear of elders’ curse

Nominated MCA Adan Dube casts his ballot at Kenyatta Stadium polling station in Maralal. PHOTO | GODFREY OUNDOH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Major polling centers in Maralal recorded a poor voter turnout.
  • Security was beefed up across all the centers.

Residents of Longewan and Logorate areas in Samburu West boycotted repeat election on Thursday citing a warning by elders no to participate in the poll.

A resident, Mr Simon Lemeteki said elders warned them they will curse anyone found or seen at any polling station.

Most polling centers in Maralal recorded a poor voter turnout including Maralal DEB Primary, Kenyatta Stadium, Social Hall, Equity bank, PCEA and Madrassa as hundreds of voters kept off.

ARREST

In Kisima, Samburu West, residents kept off polling stations, protesting an attack on Kisima Primary School polling station presiding officer by a senior administration officer on Wednesday night.

Voters, mainly the youths boycotted the exercise calling for the arrest of the officer, who is said to have assaulted the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) official after delivery of election materials at Kisima AP line.

Samburu Woman Representative Maison Leshoomo called for the immediate arrest of the officer to establish the motive of the assault.

In Wamba and Archers Post in Samburu East and its environs, hundreds of residents did not participate in the exercise as a result of drought.

SECURITY

According to Ms Leshoomo, the drought situation in the county had forced thousands of pastoralists and families to leave their homes in search for pasture, water and food away from their polling stations.

Security was beefed up across all the centers.

Maralal town was deserted with most of the residents choosing to remain indoors.

Nominated MCA Adan Dube said he was shocked with the low voter turnout as compared to the August elections.

He cast his vote at Kenyatta Stadium polling station in Maralal town.