IEBC Begins Counting Of Votes

After months of campaigns and years of preparations, the 2022 general elections has kicked off across Kenya. 

Kenyans turned up as early as 2.00 am to vote for their preferred candidate in over 46,000 polling stations across the country. Each polling station has 700 registered voters. 

22 million registered voters, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) are expected to cast their ballot for their preferred candidates. Nairobi accounts for the largest number. 

The elections will pit Raila Odinga of Azimio coalition, Deputy President William Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, George Wajackoyah of Roots Party and David Waihiga Mwaure of the Agano Party against each other.

Keep refreshing this page as Viral Tea provides you with the latest updates as the elections go on: 

Wednesday, August 10

12.03 am: Agano party presidential candidate Mwaure Waihiga got 17 votes from his polling station, Upper Hill School in Nairobi. 3 streams. The results are; Raila: 910 Ruto: 345 Mwaure: 17 Wajackoyah: 19

Tuesday, August 9

11.57 pm: Namakhele Primary School, Kabuchai, Bungoma, Moses Wetangula's Polling Station, has announced its results as follows: Raila: 97 Ruto: 494 Mwaure: 3 Wajackoyah: 4. Total: 598

11.48 pm: Moses Kuria concedes defeat in the Kiambu gubernatorial race even before the official results are announced by the IEBC. He was vying against the incumbent James Nyoro, Kimani Wamtangi, William Kabogo and Patrick Wainaina.

"I enjoyed every minute of my 8 years in elective politics. Back to the private sector. Happily," he wrote on Facebook

11.27 pm: IEBC portal revealed that Roots Party presidential candidate, George Wajackoyah, received one vote at Indalagasia Primary School, his polling station.

Out of 285 votes, Raila Odinga led with 155, followed by William Ruto with 129

11.01 pm: IEBC portal revealed that 839 votes had been tallied at Mugumo Primary school where Azimio la Umoja running mate, Martha Karua cast her vote. Out of 3 polling stations, two had closed the vote counting process. DP Ruto led the votes with 618, followed by Raila with 214. 

10.36 pm: IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati revealed that voting has been closed in many of the polling stations across the country, except for a few polling stations in Kakamega, Makueni, Nairobi and Mombasa.

"Voting has now closed in the majority of polling stations except in a few areas in Kakamega, Makueni, Nairobi and Mombasa because voting started late therefore the time was compensated," Chebukati stated.

9.21 pm: Police in Bungoma County have launched a manhunt for Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa following a shooting incident at a polling station that left a rival's aide dead.

8.40 pm: National Police Service spokesperson Bruno Shioso praised Kenyans for ensuring that peace prevailed during the election period. This is despite three incidents recorded across the country during the exercise, including a suspected Al Shabaab attack at a police camp at Qarsa.

Despite the incidents, Shioso noted that the entire electoral process has so far remained calm and peaceful with no major incidents to report.

8.25 pm: Police in Kilgoris held three people, among them two police officers, for allegedly ferrying marked ballot papers and other election materials.

6.17 pm: IEBC announces that the previously suspended gubernatorial elections in Kakamega and Mombasa Counties will be held on Tuesday, August 23.

5.54 pm: IEBC Commissioner Francis Wanderi: At around 4 pm 12,065,803 out of 22,120,458 registered voters had cast their votes. This equates to 56.17 per cent of voter turnout excluding voting through the manual register.

The figures could point out to a historically low voter turnout. In 2017 the final turnout was 78 per cent for the General Election while in 2013, the turnout was 86 per cent. The 2007 poll had 68 per cent of the registered voters casting their ballots. 

5.00 pm: IEBC closes voting time after 11 hours of voting, with focus now turning to vote counting and tallying.

However, those in the queues at the polling stations will be given a chance to cast their votes.

3.44 pm: Nakuru East MP, David Gikaria has been arrested for allegedly fighting an opponent's supporters during the August 9 general elections. 

The MP was taken into police custody at the Naka Primary School polling station, while members of the public were lining up to cast their votes. 

A video taken before the MP's arrest showed police officers in a heated physical confrontation with the legislator who was reported to have become rowdy after he was denied a replacement ballot for the Governor's seat. 

3.02 pm: Comedian Daniel Ndambuki, alias Churchill turns up to vote in Machakos County

Man turns up to vote in Kisumu County in a towel; says he was in the bathroom when his friend called him, he didn't want to be left behind.#KenyaDecides2022 pic.twitter.com/hRCAknC4d8 — Viral Tea Kenya (@ViralTeaKe) August 9, 2022

1.54 pm: IEBC warns voters that violating secrecy of the ballot through sharing of photos of marked ballot papers is punishable by law.

Our boss @marvin_chege10 has casted his vote.

Have you?#KenyaDecides2022 pic.twitter.com/H62SSQOkTx — Viral Tea Kenya (@ViralTeaKe) August 9, 2022

1.31 pm: Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherara notes that around 6.5 million voters have so far showed up to vote in the Tuesday, August 9 general elections, as of noon. 

This translates to about 30.6 per cent out of the total number of 22.1 million voters.

11.32 am: Arrest alerts; Two people have been arrested in Imara Daima, Embakasi South constituency after they were caught allegedly transporting unsealed election materials.

Four women detained for alleged voter bribery at Toi primary school polling station in Kibra, Nairobi County

11.18 am: Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris unable to vote in Nairobi after KIEMS kits fail. She is the next major contender after Wajackoyah to witness the same problem.

"I came to escort Baba (former Prime Minister Raila Odinga) and Ida. From the polling station I went to, I was unable to vote because the KIEMS kit was not working and they had not brought the replacement. They are not using the manual register.

"May of our supporters have not voted because the kits have failed," she complained.

10.39 am: Kibra Constituency grinds to a halt as Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate, Raila Odinga goes to cast his vote at Old Kibera Primary School

10.28 am: Roots Party Presidential contender George Wajackoyah arrives at a polling Station in Matungu Constituency to cast his vote.

He however becomes the third major contender in the elections to be affected by a failure of the KIEMS kit at his polling station, meaning he is unable to vote.

10.10 am: Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga and his wife, Ida Odinga, depart their home in Karen to go and vote in Kibra.

"We have done our best in terms of campaigns and now the ball is in the people's court and I have confidence that the people of Kenya are going to speak loudly in favour of a democratic change.

"Some stations opened later and in some, the process is slow. Just as we suspected some people cannot be identified biometrically and they have to refer to the manual register. Unfortunately some of those who opposed it could not also be identified," stated former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

"This is an exercise we have to do. I am excited because it is an exercise that comes once every five years. All Kenyans are excited," Ida added.

10.00 am: A section of youth took to the streets on Tuesday, August 9 to protest the suspension of the Rongai parliamentary elections in Nakuru County.

Photos and videos seen by Viral Tea showed them blocking the roads and lighting bonfires. The polls were called off following missing ballot papers and boxes at Mercy Njeri in Rongai.

9.55 am: Rongai MP Raymond Moi expresses his disappointment with IEBC after the commission suspended the Parliamentary election in Rongai, Nakuru County.

"I have not voted yet because they've told me I'm not on the ballot."

"You know this will have an impact on the presidential election. This is extremely incompetent by IEBC," he lamented

9.52 am: Nairobi gubernatorial candidate, Polycarp Igathe arrives at KTTC Gigiri, Westlands Constituency to cast his vote

9.50 am: Interior CS Fred Matiang'i casts vote at Manga Secondary School in Nyaribari, Kisii County.

9.45 am: Nairobi Senatorial aspirant Edwin Sifuna casts his vote at Loresho primary school polling station

9.23 am: President Uhuru Kenyatta and his wife Margaret Kenyatta arrive at Mutomo Primary School in Gatundu South to cast his ballot.

"It is every Kenyan's hope that (this election will be free and fair.) The process was smooth. I wasn't there for too long and the systems seemed to be working so we just hope it continues like that for the rest of the day.

"This is a day of voting and we pray that Kenyans turn out to vote in peace and go back home to await for the results."

When asked if he has competitors, he said "I have no competitors."

9.03 am: Kenya Kwanza presidential running mate, Rigathi Gachagua ran into trouble after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's (IEBC) KIEMS kits failed to identify him as a registered voter.

Rigathi Gachagua casting his vote on August 9, 2022. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA

Having turned up to vote at Sagana Primary School as early as 7 am, Rigathi could not be identified with the KIEMS kit and was instead identified with the manual register.

Nairobi Woman Representative, Esther Passaris, who is seeking to defend her seat, also raised concerns following the failure of the KIEMS kits at Farasi Lane Primary School in Nairobi.

8.01 am: Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary candidate, Hamisi Butichi, has been arrested in Ikolomani Constituency after he was caught with crude weapons at a polling station.

Butichi, who is seeking the parliamentary seat under the party associated with Deputy President William Ruto, was arrested in possession of machetes and other materials that are not supposed to be in his possession at a polling station on voting day.

Kakamega Central OCPD, Valerian Obure noted that he was held for questioning.

7.38 am: The first suspension of the election day as voters in the Rongai Constituency will not be able to vote for their preferred Member of Parliament (MP). 

Reports indicate that the exercise was suspended indefinitely for the Parliamentary seat after a mix-up occurred with ballot papers with those of Kuresoi South. 

7.23 am: Presidential Aspirant David Waihiga Mwaure speaks after he arrives to cast his vote at a polling station in Nairobi. 

"I voted and I came at around 7:15 a.m. because some of the colleagues asked me to delay as they were still setting up systems. I am happy to have exercised my right to vote. I remind Kenyans that this is not just a constitutional right but it is also a sacred right. I expect to win. If I lose I will concede." 

7.08 am: Kenya Kwanza Running mate Rigathi Gachagua and his wife Dorcas Wanjiku arrives at a polling station in Mathira Constituency to cast his ballot. 

6.54am: Nakuru Gubernatorial candidate Susan Kihika at Ngomongo Polling station, Bahati Consitutency to cast her vote  

"I am happy to see that Kenyans have come out to vote. There was no reason to wait. I was excited for this day. I came out early to inspire others." 

6.35 am: DP Ruto: To IEBC, you are an independent organisation. As the People of Kenya, we expect that you will carry out this exercise respecting your mandate, understanding that your independence is so that you can be fair to each voter and candidate. We wish you well as you undertake this monumental exercise." 

DP Ruto casting his vote on August 9, 2022. /FILE

6.23 am; DP Ruto: I feel very good that after very many months of campaigning and selling our agenda and manifesto, it is D-day and we have come to vote with my wife and neighbours. 

"As you have seen, everyone here wants a peaceful process. We even had a spontaneous prayer. I ask all voters to do these exercises peacefully and deliberately so that we can choose the men and women to take this country to the next level. It is upon all of us to respect the choices of the people of Kenya as will be done today in every part of the republic of Kenya."  

6.20 am: Martha Karua speaks after she turns up to vote, urging Kenyans to make the crucial decision. 

"I was redirected to another station where my name was found. I have voted and you can see the ink. Please get out and vote. It is our day today to determine the direction this country takes 

6.05 am: Deputy President William Ruto votes at Kosachei Primary School polling Station, Sugoi alongside his wife, Mama Rachel Ruto. 

Martha Karua casting her vote on August 9, 2022. /TWITTER

6.00 am: Polling stations countrywide open officially ad candidates move in to cast their votes for candidates in the categories of President, Governor, Senator, Woman Representative, Member of the National Assembly and Member of the County Assembly. 

5.45 am: Azimio la Umoja presidential running mate Martha Karua is the first to arrive at the polling station at Mugumo Primary School in Gichugu Constituency to cast her vote.