United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) MP candidate for Embakasi East Francis Mureithi has expressed optimism in beating the incumbent Babu Owino.

Speaking moments after voting in Donhom, Mureithi also expressed his confidence in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct free, fair and transparent polls.

“I feel there is transparency in this election. I urge voters in Embakasi to come out in large numbers, at least 90 percent (voter turn out). If you do not come out to vote you do not love the development of Kenya. For those fearing please note there is no violence, the election is very peaceful,” Mureithi said.

“I have cast my vote and I believe that I have a lot of followers who are supporting me today. By evening I’ll have won… no one goes to an election to lose, but I’ll respect the decision of the voters,” he added.

The incumbent is expected to vote later in the day at Soweto social hall.

Mureithi vs Babu in 2017

In 2017, Owino floored Mureithi with 46,817 votes against the 42,501, after a vote recount.

Currently, Embakasi East has close to 150,000 registered voters.

Recently, Embakasi East Jubilee MP aspirant Maina Waruinge quit the race and the ruling party Jubilee in favour for Mureithi.