Confusion over vote tallying in the media and the slow pace of progress by the electoral commission have fed anxiety in Kenya
Kenya’s leading opposition contender Raila Odinga waves to voters after casting his vote during the general elections in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya. Picture: DONWILSON ODHIAMBO/REUTERS
In the presidential race, official verified results reported by the Nation media group showed Ruto taking 51% of the vote, ahead of left-leaning opposition leader Raila Odinga who had 48%. When asked about the tally, a spokesperson for the commission referred Reuters to the live feed. Other electoral officials said they were unable to provide the information.
A Reuters tally of 263 out of 291 preliminary constituency-level results at 6pm on Sunday showed Ruto in the lead with just under 52% and Odinga at 47.5%. Two minor candidates shared less than a percent between them. The many checks and balances are designed to try to prevent the kind of allegations of rigging that provoked violence in 2007, when more than 1,200 people were killed, and in 2017, when more than 100 people were killed.
As the tight race continued, party agents have grown increasingly agitated at the counting centre, known as Bomas. Late on Saturday, Odinga’s chief agent, Saitabao ole Kanchory, grabbed a microphone and announced “Bomas of Kenya is a scene of crime”, before officials switched off his microphone.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kenya: IEBC Half Way Through With Presidential Vote TallyThe Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was Sunday almost halfway through in the ongoing exercise of verifying and tallying presidential results.
Read more »
Kenya: Vote Tally Resumes for Nairobi Top SeatsVote counting for Nairobi Gubernatorial, Senate, and County Woman Representative race was set to resume at 9 am Saturday following a short break.
Read more »
Kenya Awaits Final Results 5 Days After ElectionThe Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced enhanced measures at the Bomas of Kenya during the verification of presidential results in a bid to expedite the process. In the revised rules of procedure, the electoral body's commissioner, Abdi Guliye, stated that only chief presidential agents from the four presidential candidates and their assistants will be allowed in the auditorium. United Democratic Alliance presidential flag bearer Deputy President William Ruto's running mate Rigathi Gachagua has assured Kenya Kwanza supporters of a win in the recently concluded polls as the IEBC continues to tally the results at the Bomas of Kenya. Gachagua accused the Azimio agents of delaying the verification exercise at the same time lauding those from Kenya Kwanza for maintaining calm. IEBC has recalled close to 10,000 votes were erroneously awarded to Ruto in Form 34B in the Kiambu Town constituency. The poll agency also noted that errors were made in the summation of Odinga's vote, reports Capital FM.
Read more »
Kenya: IEBC Asks Presidential Contenders Who Will Lose to Follow Trend and ConcedePolls Body Asks Presidential Contenders Who Will Lose to Follow Trend and Concede CapitalFMKenya: Kenya RutoThefifth railathe5th ElectionsKE2022 KenyaDecides2022
Read more »
Kenya: IEBC Limits Access to Bomas Tallying Centre as It Announces Enhanced MeasuresThe Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced enhanced measures at the Bomas of Kenya during the verification of presidential results in a bid to expedite the process.
Read more »
Kenya: Why Youth Apathy in Elections Bodes Ill for NationAnalysis - Kenya saw a decline in the number of young people who registered to vote in the August 2022 elections. This group's share of the 12.1 million registered voters dropped by 5.27% compared to 2017.
Read more »