This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
The Kibra by-election has kicked off smoothly, with polling stations opening at 6 am as scheduled on November 7, 2019.
According to the returning officer, David Maina, voters are slowly trickling in, given that it's a working day.
A spot check across the stations shows queues building up, indicating a high turnout.
One of the independent candidates, Shadrack Omondi, has already cast his vote at Makina ward.
Other notable candidates, including ODM's Imran Okoth, ANC's Eliud Owalo, and ODM leader Raila Odinga, will cast their votes later in the morning at Old Kibra polling station.
The electoral body, IEBC, is happy with the voting process so far but has warned voters, candidates, and agents against wearing or carrying campaign materials.
IEBC tweeted, 'Voters, candidates, and agents are urged to maintain order at the polling station and to avoid wearing or carrying campaign materials and to avoid campaigning while on the queue.'
However, a few hitches have been reported, including drama at Mashimoni squatters in Kibra following claims of voter bribery. Police acted swiftly to contain the situation, and a man allegedly involved in the vice was arrested and is in police custody.
IEBC is yet to respond to the claims. In Jamhuri, voting was delayed after a KIEMS kits hitch, but the issue was sorted out, and voters are casting their ballots.
There are 24 candidates vying for the 118,658 votes, with Jubilee's McDonald Mariga, ODM's Imran Okoth, and ANC's Eliud Owalo seen as the front runners in the race.
The by-election follows the death of MP Ken Okoth, who succumbed to cancer in July.
The Kibra by-election has turned into a political contest between ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto.
