Kenyans are waiting anxiously for the results of the country’s presidential election after a largely peaceful poll, with low turnout in some areas suggesting growing frustration with the political elite.
Although presidential frontrunners William Ruto and Raila Odinga have both vowed to maintain calm following Tuesday’s poll, the memory of past election-related violence remains fresh for many Kenyans, who have urged political parties to accept the results.
With pressure building on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which has to declare the results by August 16, officials worked overnight to count votes and dispel rigging fears.
“We call for patience among Kenyans as we undertake this rigorous exercise and also endeavour to complete this exercise as soon as possible,” IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said in a late-night briefing.
Kenyans, some of whom lined up before dawn to cast their ballot, voted in six elections on Tuesday, choosing a new president as well as senators, governors, members of parliament, woman representatives and some 1,500 county officials.
Despite the early show of enthusiasm, however, turnout in some areas appeared to be weak, suggesting that for some Kenyans at least, patience with years of unfulfilled promises was running out.
Even those who showed up early to vote said they were tired of electing political leaders who had done little to improve their lives.
“All along we have been doing elections, getting promises but we see no change,” said George Otieno Henry, a 56-year-old artisan.
“I hope this time it will be better,” he told AFP in Kibra, one of Nairobi’s largest slums.
