Voting at the Ugunja parliamentary by-election kicked off smoothly this morning, amidst low voter turnout.

All 116 polling stations were opened at around 6:00 am, and voting kicked off with businesspeople casting their votes and returning to their workstations.

At Siror Polling Station, in the backyard of Orange Democratic Movement’s Moses Omondi, voters had already queued by 5:00 am.

Ugunja has 60,114 registered voters that the ten candidates who were cleared by IEBC will share, and whoever shall have more votes counted shall take the leadership mantle.

The parliamentary seat fell vacant after Opiyo Wandayi was appointed to the Cabinet as the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.

At Ugunja Town Hall, fewer than 500 have cast their votes. The low voter turnout was reported in several polling stations across the constituency.

Residents recall past elections turnout

So far, the number of cast votes is extremely lower than the massive turnout in the region. Peter Ochieng, a voter from Siror, said the exercise is going on smoothly under tight security.

“Last time when I voted, I was in the line for close to 5 hours and had read three-quarters of my book while in the queue. This time it took me less than 10 minutes,” said Ochieng, adding that “I am sure by the end of the exercise we would have a bigger number of people who have not responded to the call,” he recalled.

The voter apathy witnessed in Ugunja has asked Ugunja residents to forgo their duties for just a few minutes, rush to their polling stations, and vote.

According to IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat, the low voter turnout noted by midday does not show a good picture in the Ugunja constituency, so there is a need to reverse the trend.

“Despite voting starting well and progressing peacefully across all polling stations, the numbers remained extremely low,” said Araphat.

“Voter turnout is a bit low. We are urging people to come out and cast their ballots,” she said.

“The by-election exercise is being done peacefully, and I would want to ask eligible voters who have not cast their votes to choose their preferred candidates at the ballot box,” she added.

“We are happy everything is moving on smoothly, and peace is maintained, and we urge them to continue that,” she added.

Contestants in the Ugunja by-election

Voting is expected to run until 5 pm as the constituency elects its next Member of Parliament. One of the candidates, Omondi, is optimistic that he will win by a landslide despite the low voter turnout.

Omondi is sure of emerging victories, arguing that he has traversed Ugunja, Sidiondi, and Sigomre to persuade electorates to cast votes in his favor.

“Though I am scared of the low voter turnout, I have confidence in capturing the seat going by a similar situation we faced during the ODM party primaries, where I was declared the winner, so I am praying that God’s will shall be done and I will face a similar fate,” said Omondi.

“I do not think those who have impacted their lives positively for the past 13 years have been constituency managers who will abandon me at the ballot box,” Omondi said.

He vowed to respect the verdict of the people expressed at the ballot box.

“I am optimistic that the verdict of the people at the ballot box will be in my favour.”

I want to call on those who have not cast their votes to do so, as that would boost my chances of becoming Ugunja MP.”

Opiyo Wandanyi remarks

However, Opiyo Wandayi, who cast his vote at Lwanda Primary School in Sidindi, lauded the peaceful environment witnessed in the entire Ugunja during voting day.

I’m impressed by the peaceful nature of the exercise. Voting commenced at 8 AM, and so far it has remained peaceful,” Wandayi said, commending the security agencies and constituency leadership for working tirelessly for peace to prevail.

He further urged the Ugunja people to exercise their democratic right by voting.

“A lot of talking has happened in the past months, so it’s time for action. The hour of reckoning is with us; let us all come out and vote,” he added.

Reacting to violence at Kasipul in Homa Bay County, Wandayi noted that elections are not a matter of life and death but a means to an end.

“Kasipul is a matter of concern to us leaders, and we would want to appeal for calm. Leaders of all political persuasions must lead by example. There can be only one winner in an election, like here in Ugunja, where I am certain that ODM will win.”

Wandayi, who was accompanied by ODM candidate Moses Omondi, commended the IEBC for the manner in which they have conducted the exercise.

“We have the fullest trust and confidence in the IEBC as currently constituted. Going by what we have seen, the IEBC has mastered the game, and we hope they will continue,” Wandayi said.

The CS said there can be no 100 per cent perfection; there could be teething problems or hitches here and there, but that is the exception rather than the rule.”

He asked Kenyans to trust and have confidence in the IEBC.

“We want Kenyans to give IEBC space and time to execute their constitutional mandate rather than harassing them,” he said.

“Let the leaders show the way by giving the public hope that our institutions of democracy, even though they are nascent, can be made to work.”