The voting exercise started smoothly in West Pokot County despite a low voter turnout being witnessed. The exercise started smoothly at 6:00 am with voters trickling to most polling stations in the whole County.
The exercise was calm, peaceful with no violence reported. A spot check at several polling stations in the County showed that few voters started trickling to polling stations as early as 5.30 am.
There were no technical hitches as BVR machines were working well.
Security has been beefed up in all the four Sub Counties in the County with Security chiefs in the County promising a peaceful exercise.
Businesses in Kapenguria and other major towns in the County were going and some residents were undertaking their normal duties.
County elections manager Mr. John Mwangi said everything started on well despite the low turnout. He said heavy rains could affect the exercise in some of the parts in the County.
West Pokot County has 180,000 voters with 713 polling stations.
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo and County assembly speaker Mrs. Catherine Mukenyang voted at the polling station at Murkwijit Primary school, Kapenguria Constituency.
Governor Lonyangapuo who was accompanied by his wife Dr. Mary Lonyangapuo, cast his vote at exactly 10:00 am.
Speaking to press after casting his vote, he said the voter turnout in the County is relatively good about twenty percent.
He urged area residents who have not voted to come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right.
Lonyangapuo said the country should not continue being in a limbo as many Kenyans are suffering. “The nation’s economy is stagnating and there is a need to stabilize it,” he said.
Residents who spoke to the press called on Kenyans to embrace peace and shun violence. “We need peace to prevail in the country and youths should not be used to cause chaos,” said Ruth Kaptai, a voter at Murkwijit primary school polling station.
Nominated MCA Elijah Kaseu seu said that youths can only have a say in the leadership of the country if they come out in large numbers and vote.