LIVE BLOG: IEBC Officially Ends Voting Time

After months of heated campaigning period across the country, Kenyans finally turned up to vote for their preferred candidates.

The voters in some polling stations such as Moi Avenue Primary School in Nairobi arrived as early as 2:00am to cast their ballots. There are over 46,000 polling stations countrywide.

Each polling station has 700 registered voters.

Data by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) showed that the country has 22 million registered voters with Nairobi accounting for the biggest number.

Kenyans.co.ke will keep you updated on a minute-by-minute basis. Keep refreshing this page for updates.

10.33 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. 

10.13 pm: IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati stated that voting was closed in the majority of polling stations across the country except for areas in Kakamega, Makueni, Nairobi and Mombasa due to delay in opening. 

"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.

9.46 pm: Defense CS Eugene Wamalwa called for the immediate arrest of Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa for allegedly shooting dead his opponent's aide at a polling station in Kimilili Constituency. 

9.24 pm: NCCK called upon all candidates to accept the will of the people. Candidates who were not satisfied with the results were encouraged to seek legal redress and not instigate violence.

8.54 pm: Police in Bungoma county launched a manhunt for Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa following a shooting incident that left an aide's rival dead. Bungoma county commissioner Samuel Kimiti gave the legislator 24 hours to surrender to police.

8.42 pm: IEBC portal showed 59 polling stations had finished presidential tallying in Starehe. In Pangani, DP William Ruto led with 462 votes, followed by Raila Odinga with 424 votes. 

8.28 pm: The National Police Service spokesperson Bruno Shioso lauded Kenyans for maintaining peace during the voting period. He assured Kenyans of their personal security and safety during the entire electoral cycle. 

8.15 pm: IEBC portal shows 52 polling stations have closed vote counting in Tiaty. In Tirioko, Raila Odinga led with 641 votes, followed by Ruto who scored 114 votes.

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

7.04 pm: Power blackout was experienced in most parts of Samburu County as the process of vote counting began. 

6.38 pm: Two people were arrested for bribing voters at Mukambi and Mutono polling stations, Mumias East constituency. Mumias East Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Kullow stated that the two suspects were found in possession of Ksh200 and Ksh150 notes.

6.27 pm: IEBC affirmed that Mombasa, Kakamega gubernatorial elections as well as parliamentary elections in Kacheliba, Pokot South and Rongai would be held on Tuesday, August 23, due to a mix-up of the ballot papers. 

6.15 pm: IEBC postponed voting in Wajir's Eldas Constituency to Wednesday morning, August 10, owing to cases of insecurity in the area.

6.04 pm: IEBC CEO Hussein Marjan blamed the mishap associated with the KIEMS kit on the saga involving three Venezuelans.

He noted that there was a mix-up during the duplication of the SD cards, which may have originated when the kits were stalled at the warehouse.

5.45 pm: IEBC announced that 12,065,803 out of 22,120,458 had cast their votes by 4 pm. This is equivalent to 56.17 percent, excluding voters who used the manual register.

5.35 pm: Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko was whisked away by police officers after he was involved in a near fist fight with outgoing Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho. 

5.13 pm: One person, armed with a panga and knife, was arrested by police officers at Shauri Yako primary school polling station in Homa Bay County. 

5.04 pm: Outspoken lawyer Miguna Miguna cast his vote in Canada where he declared his support for DP Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua.

5.00 pm: IEBC officially closes voting time at 5 pm but voters who had already queued at the polling stations will be given a chance to cast their votes. 

4.50 pm: An IEBC official in Gatina Primary, Dagoretti North Constituency was caught issuing 4 MP ballot papers to a voter during the voting exercise.

The official was roughed up by other voters in the room before being accosted by police officers out of the polling station. 

4.42 pm: Machakos Gubernatorial candidate Johnson Muthama stated that he had received complaints of imposters at polling stations posing as IEBC officials. 

4.30 pm: A voter from Kawangware, Nairobi county was kicked out of a polling station for allegedly attempting to vote twice.

The IEBC officials were alerted after the KIEMS kit sounded an alarm, registering that he had already voted. The voter, however, argued that he had not voted as he had no mark.

4.00 pm: Nakuru police boss, Peter Mwanzo affirmed that Nakuru East MP David Gikaria was arrested over allegations of fighting a fellow candidate and organising a group to cause chaos at Naka Primary School polling station.

3:39 pm: Nakuru East MP David Gikaria was arrested for allegedly fighting his opponent's supporters at Naka Primary School polling station. The legislator became rowdy after he didn't receive a replacement ballot while he was casting his vote.

2:50 pm: IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati confirmed that 6,557,869 Kenyans had turned up to vote by noon. This translated to 30.65 percent of the 22,120, 458 registered voters.

2:36 pm: IEBC has allowed the Manual Voters Register to be used in select areas of Makueni and Kakamega counties due to the technical malfunctions of the KIEMS kit. 

"Our ICT officers are on the ground, and when they are called upon in the polling station, they ascertain its failure of the kit and not any other failure."

"In this case, it has been ascertained as the commissioners have written emails and therefore have been given the leeway to use manual register,” IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera stated.

2:10 p.m.: Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru heads to Gichugu Constituency to vote as she seeks to defend her seat.

"This is my home and we are very hopeful about the voter turnout and the direction the vote will take. It was a bit quiet in the morning and I think many people delayed. The experience so far has been very good."

1:45 p.m.: Roots Party Running mate Justina Wamae praised IEBC over the commission's preparations ahead of the August 9 elections.

"They IEBC is so organised and queues are moving fast. From where I sit, IEBC is well prepared. I have spoken to my principal and he has told me he has experienced challenges (failure of KIEMS kit) twice."

1:12 p.m.: IEBC clarified that it received 200 KIEMS kits failure reports refuting claims that the issue was not so widespread and it had already been dealt with it

"I think that is a normal thing happening and there is nothing ideal. We expect that 10 (kits) may also present a malfunction but that does not mean it is widespread. It is only 200 out of 46,229 (that have been affected)," explained a commissioner at Bomas of Kenya.

1:07 p.m.: IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera announced that some polling stations in Eldas and Dadaab Constituencies experienced delay due to insecurity.

Security issues affected four polling stations in Dadaab Constituency including Maguto Primary School among others also leading to delay in polling stations opening.

"Regarding security, the commission was alerted of incidents of gunfire in Eldas Constituency where ballot materials were stored. IEBC officials were trapped inside the offices preparing to dispatch the materials. Election has been adjourned and voting will resume once the issue is resolved," she stated.

12:51 p.m.: After KIEMS kits hitch in Matungu Constituency, Roots Party's George Wajackoyah and other Matungu Constituency voters finally allowed to vote.

11:55 a.m.: Two people arrested at Imara Daima in Embakasi South Constituency after they were nabbed allegedly transporting unsealed election materials.

In Kibra, four women were also arrested for attempting to bribe voters at Toi Primary School polling station in Kibra, Nairobi County.

11:04 a.m.: Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris unable to vote in Nairobi after KIEMS kits fail. Says the issue affected several Nairobians.

Roots Party's George Wajackoya and Kenya Kwanza's Rigathi Gachagua faced similar problems.

"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.

"Many of our supporters have not voted because the kits have failed."

10:48 a.m.: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga votes at Old Kibra Primary School in Nairobi accompanied by his supporters known as the firimbi squad.

10:12 a.m.: Roots Party Presidential contender George Wajackoyah arrives at a polling Station in Matungu Constituency to cast his vote.

10:02 a.m.: Police disperse rowdy youth who blocked a road in Rongai Constituency, Nakuru County, by lighting bonfires.

The voters protested the lack of Parliamentary seat ballots across the region after a mix-up with those of Kuresoi South Parliamentary contestants. IEBC suspended the MP Parliamentary election in the constituency.

Protesters in Rongai Constituency, Nakuru County.

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09:55 a.m.: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Wife Ida depart their Karen home 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 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 also not 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.

09:46 a.m.: Interior CS Fred Matiang'i casts vote at Manga Secondary School in Nyaribari, Kisii County. He exuded confidence that voting will be peaceful across the country noting that adequate security deployment has been done. 

He described the clash between supporters of rival candidates in Wajir County as an isolated electoral incident that has since been dealt with effectively.

09:31 a.m.: Nairobi Senator aspirant Edwin Sifuna casts his vote at Loresho primary school polling station.

9:09 a.m.: President Uhuru Kenyatta and his wife Margaret Kenyatta arrives 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 wait for the results."

8:52 a.m.: Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho explains why there was delay in some Mvita polling stations as per the region's IEBC manager. He, however, noted that the explanation was not satisfactory as hundreds had turned out to vote by 5:00 a.m.

"I spoke to our candidates from ODM who has been in touch with the County Election Manager and they gave some reasons.

"They said that they were blocked in the morning by some trucks and were stuck but they left thereafter. They also assured our candidates in Mvita that the hours missed will be compensated."

08:38 a.m.: Ikolomani MP aspirant Hamisi Butichi arrested at a polling station in the constituency after he was allegedly found in possession of machetes.

Kakamega Central OCPD, Valerian Obure, confirmed to the press that Butichi was taken behind bars.

Ikolomani Constituency MP candidate Hamisi Butichi.

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8:35 a.m.: President Uhuru Kenyatta's mother Mama Ngina Kenyatta arrives at a polling station in Gatundu to cast her vote.

8:26 a.m.: Homa Bay Gubernatorial Aspirant and former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero arrives at Asumbi Girls Primary School to vote.

7:35 a.m.: Rigathi Gachagua casts his vote at Sagana Primary School polling station, Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County.

Initially, the Kenya Integrated Elections Management (KIEMs) kit failed to identify the politician biometrically forcing him to delay even as they sorted the matter out. He finally voted at 7:39 a.m.

7:22 a.m.: Presidential Aspirant David Waihiga Mwaure 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 rights 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 a.m.: Kenya Kwanza Running mate Rigathi Gachagua and his wife Dorcas Wanjiku arrives at a polling station in Mathira Constituency to cast his ballot.

6:54 a.m.: Nakuru Gubernatorial candidate Susan Kihika arrives 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."

6:42 a.m.: In Lamu Fort, several polling stations had not been opened to voters as late as 6:40 a.m. The affected stations are found in Mukomani and Shella Wards. More than 400 voters ha turned up to cast their ballots.

6:33 a.m.: The DP also explained that he showed up to vote earlier than usual to fulfill a commitment he made to his people during the campaign period.

"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 William Ruto casts his vote at Kosachei Primary School in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County.

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6:23 a.m.: DP William Ruto addresses the press urging all Kenyans to maintain peace during the voting exercise. He believed that Kenyans will largely vote for contestant's manifesto than personality.

"I feel very good that after very many months of campaigning and selling our agenda and manifesto, it is D-day and we have some to vote with my wife and neighbours.

"As you have seen, everyone here wants a peaceful process. We even have had a spontaneous prayer. I ask all voters to do these exercise peacefully and deliberately so that we can choose the men and women to take these 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 a.m.: Azimio One Kenya Running mate Martha Karua addressed the press urging all to turn out an vote.

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

Azimio Running mate Martha Karua casts her vote at Mugumo Primary School in Gichugu constituency.

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06:05 a.m.: Deputy President William Ruto arrives at a polling Station in Sugoi to cast his vote. The DP is vying for the Presidency. He was accompanied by his wife Rachel Ruto.

6:00 a.m.: Polling stations across the country officially opened to allow registered voters to cast their votes and elect their candidates in six categories; President, Governor, Senator, Woman Representative, Member of the National Assembly and Member of the County Assembly.

5:55 a.m.: Azimio One Kenya Alliance Running mate Martha Karua arrived at Mugumo Primary School in Gichugu Constituency to cast her vote. She had promised to turn up as early as the polling station opens.