Home » #KenyaDecides2022: Protests rock in Rongai, Nakuru county, after suspension of elections

#KenyaDecides2022: Protests rock in Rongai, Nakuru county, after suspension of elections

by Enock Ndayala

As Kenyans woke up to cast their votes, elections in certain parts of the country were postponed following a mix-up of election materials.

For instance, the voting exercise for the Rongai parliamentary seat was on the morning of Tuesday, August 9, postponed hour to the official start of voting after some of the ballot papers were mixed with those of Kerusoi North.

It is still unclear what caused the mix-up or the way forward for the voters who had shown up at their respective polling stations.

As Kenyans woke up to cast their votes, some of the elections were postponed following a mix-up of election materials.
As Kenyans woke up to cast their votes, some of the elections were postponed following a mix-up of election materials. Photo: Daily Nation

Nakuru County IEBC Manager Joseph Mele confirmed the discrepancy in the Rongai parliamentary elections and said voting had been temporarily suspended but did not give many details.

“The IEBC headquarters in Nairobi will give further communication. That’s all that I can say for now,” Mele said.

However, voters were advised to elect leaders for the presidential, gubernatorial, parliamentary, and county assembly positions.

But despite these, supporters of the Rongai parliamentary candidates Raymond Moi of KANU, Paul Chebor of (UDA), and Luka Kigen of the Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) said they were shocked by the mix-up.

“You know this will have an impact on the presidential election… This is extremely incompetent by IEBC” MP Raymond Moi said of the postponement.

This forced the youths to barricade roads as they demonstrated over the suspension of voting bringing transport operations to a standstill.

The residents said the move was aimed at suppressing voter turnout in the area ahead of a titanic battle between Deputy President William Ruto of UDA and Raila Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party.

Rongai MP Raymond Moi expressed displeasure in IEBC saying he will not vote for other seats until the issue is sorted out.

It is understood that this is not the only contest that the electoral agency has suspended voting.

On Monday, August 8, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati suspended voting for Kakamega and Mombasa gubernatorial seat.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More