Sick people in Murang’a yesterday were ferried to polling centres by ambulances provided by the county government. Ten patients were taken to Kiboi Primary School, with some being lifted from the ambulances to the station. The sick were picked from their individual homes.
Livingstone Kuria from Kiamakara village, who lives with physical disability, marked the ballot papers in the ambulance.
He said he was happy that despite his condition he still got a chance to exercise his democratic right.
“I have been confined indoors for years since I fell from a tree and hurt my back, but am glad I today I have voted,” Kuria said.
There were long queues in many parts, with thousands of voters flocking to polling centres as early as 2am. Voters were, however, disappointed that they were still in queues at midday, long after they arrived at their polling centres.
Some KIEMS machines stalled in numerous polling stations, forcing voters to wait for hours as returning officers rushed to rectify the challenges.
At Gatura Primary School, Gatanga constituency, the machines jammed after only 10 people had voted in one station. Voters who talked to the Star said they had queued for too long and were tired.
“They have told us that they are waiting for an IT expert from Thika to repair the machines,” one voter said.
At Kamukabi polling centre, Kigumo constituency, the machines broke down at 8pm in all four stations.
The same challenge was experienced in Muchagara Primary School, Maragua constituency, where voting stalled in one station after the KIEMS machines malfunctioned.
In Gatanga, one man was arrested after he was found distributing campaign materials in Kigio village. Area DCIO Joseph Kitonyi said the suspect, Peter Waweru, is being detained at Kirwara police station and will be charged with committing electoral offences.
However, Governor Mwangi Wairia, who voted at Kiboi Primary School, Kiharu, praised the IEBC for conducting a smooth exercise.
Wairia said though the queues were long, voting was going on peacefully. He said he was confident the exercise would end without any major glitches.
“The most important thing is for everyone to cast their votes peacefully and go home to wait for the results,” Wairia said.
He urged anybody with issues to file a lawsuit. His rival Moses Mwangi echoed his sentiments and urged people not to hang around polling stations after voting. Mwangi voted at Kaharo Primary School, Maragua constituency.
Senator Kembi Gitura voted at Vidhu Ramji Secondary School while his rival Irungu Kang’ata cast his vote at Municipal Hall, Murang’a town.