Election Day: Kenyans write a new history through the ballot

Kenyans on Tuesday braved the cold weather, long queues, turning out in large numbers to cast their vote in the country’s most defining election that pits President Uhuru Kenyatta against challenger Raila Odinga.

More than 19, 611, 423 voters formed long lines at many polling stations before dawn, waiting for their turn to cast ballots for the presidency as well as for more than 1,800 elected positions, including governors, legislative representatives and county officials.

Quick Facts

19,611,423 eligible voters: 10,469,148 (male) & 9,142,275 (female).
4,393 Diaspora registered voters
5,528 prisoners registered to vote
40,883 polling stations in the country.
290 Returning IEBC Officers and their Deputies
7 Clerks at each polling station

14,550 candidates competing for the 1,882 elected posts of president, governor, senator, women representatives, members of parliament, and members of county assembly. Eight candidates are contesting for the presidency – Uhuru Kenyatta of Jubilee Party, ODM’s Raila Odinga, Cyrus Jirongo of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Ekuru Aukot of Thirdway Alliance, Abduba Dida of the Alliance for Real Change (ARC), and Independent candidates Joseph Nyagah, Michael Wainaina and Japheth Kavinga.

The seat for County Ward Representative has attracted the most number of candidates totaling 11,857 followed by the position of the member of National Assembly where 1,893 candidates have been cleared to run.
The Senate contest has attracted 256 contestants while 299 women have been cleared to contest for the 47 County Woman Representative posts across the country.

IEBC cleared 210 candidates to vie for various gubernatorial posts across the country.

Read: Kenyans Head to the Polls for Historic Vote Pitting Uhuru and Raila

In 2013, 12,776 aspirants competed.

Guys have been lining up at Moi Avenue Primary School in Nairobi since 9pm last night to cast their votes in today… https://t.co/bWOvq4r60M pic.twitter.com/Aoz6nro4ES

— Mwangi Kirubi (@mwarv) August 8, 2017

Queues outside Langas Primary School are large. Most are excited to vote #KenyaDecides #ElectionKE2017 pic.twitter.com/EkscWSFyQR

— Charlie Ensor (@charlieensor) August 8, 2017

First BVR failure story at Volunteer primary school of Wajir county. Manual voting started already. #SpotChecks
#KenyaDecides

— Abdirahman Issack (@Wajia02) August 8, 2017

Read: Kenyan Telcos will provide IEBC a secure conduit to transmit poll results

We have voted. Photos credit @allangichigi #ElectionsKE2017 pic.twitter.com/ffAzNcM9MX

— Vote Starehe MP (@bonifacemwangi) August 8, 2017

A man guides an elderly woman towards the front of the queue to cast her vote #kenyadecides #ElectionsKe2017 pic.twitter.com/mYGuqNtEMu

— FERDINAND OMONDI (@FerdyOmondi) August 8, 2017

Lone figure in foggy 9 degree weather going to vote. Hope our leaders remember these small sacrifices when they win. Or lose. #ElectionsKE pic.twitter.com/7sRKjGEhbn

— Edwin Macharia (@edwin_macharia) August 8, 2017

Former US President Barack Obama on the elections, this is what he said:

“I urge Kenyan leaders to reject violence and incitement; respect the will of the people; urge security forces to act professionally and neutrally; and work together no matter the outcome,” he said in a statement. “I urge all Kenyans to work for an election — and aftermath — that is peaceful and credible, reinforcing confidence in your new Constitution and the future of your country. Any disputes around the election should be resolved peacefully, through Kenya’s institutions and the rule of law.”

“In Kenya’s election, we have already seen too much incitement and appeals based on fear from all sides,” he said. “But I also know that the Kenyan people as a whole will be the losers if there is a descent into violence. You can make clear that you will reject those that want to deal in tribal and ethnic hatred.”

“The choices you make in the coming days can either set Kenya back or bring it together. As a friend of the Kenyan people, I urge you to work for a future defined not by fear and division, but by unity and hope.”

#Kosachei primary school in #UasinGishu slight problems with kiems but people upbeat. People have been here as early as 4am #kenyadecides pic.twitter.com/TeXjefLzAQ

— emmanuel Igunza (@EmmanuelIgunza) August 8, 2017

As am thinking of ways to jump the queues, our humble First Lady is politely & respectfully queuing. I am ashamed of myself.#ElectionKe2017 pic.twitter.com/JOiy0tYrr7

— Emma Too™ (@Emma999Too) August 8, 2017

.@PaulKagame: I wish Kenyans good elections and I wish them happiness in the process of choosing their leaders #NBSFocusOnRwanda pic.twitter.com/r2udRn6z0F

— NBS Television (@nbstv) August 7, 2017