Huge voter turnout heralded the polls as some Kenyans were still queuing to vote shortly before close of voting. But the electoral commission says that people still in the queue when the polls close will be allowed to vote.
The major candidates for Kenya’s presidency, incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta and challenger and opposition leader, Raila Odinga have cast their votes and the duo expressed confidence about winning.
Kenyatta cast his vote at Mutomo Primary School in his birthplace of Gatundu, Kiambu County shortly after 11.30 am Tuesday, and voiced his confidence that Kenyans would hand him a new 5-year mandate to finish the job.
Odinga accompanied by his wife, Ida, cast his vote at Olympic Primary School, Kibra Constituency in Nairobi.
The President came to the polling station accompanied by his family including First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and his mother, former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, and two of his three children.
A media scram of dozens of cameras, both local and international, greeted him as he arrived to vote.
After casting his vote, President Kenyatta said he was confident of winning because he ran a positive campaign.
“I feel good. I feel positive because we ran a positive campaign,” the President told reporters. He said his party ran on a platform of peace, harmony and progress that resonated with Kenyans.
The President called for peace, urging Kenyans to vote peacefully and go back to their homes to await the results.
“Vote and go home to wait for the results,” the President said in response to a question about what his message to Kenyans was on election day.
“Peace. Peace. Peace. I say peace because Kenya was here before and it will be here after today,” said the President.
The Head of State will spend the day in Gatundu visiting with neighbours, and waiting for the results to come from the electoral body.
Raila Odinga exuded confidence his fourth run would end in victory.
Speaking to a select group of journalists, including Xinhua, at his Karen home before heading to his polling center in Nairobi’s populous Kibera slums, Odinga said his first presidential attempt in 1997 was introductory but his second attempt in 2007 was successful although he was rigged out.
Odinga said this year’s vote was a “historic step” for him and his supporters, whom he urged to turn out in large numbers to vote.
“I thank Kenyans for turning up in large numbers to vote. I appeal to each and everyone to participate. They should not miss an opportunity.
“Today is a great day. It is a historic day for the people of Kenya,” Odinga said amid cheers from his supporters who had thronged the polling center.
