The announcement of Narok governor-elect has been moved to the National Tallying Center at the Bomas of Kenya owing to the political tension in the county.
In a statement dated Saturday, August 14, Narok County Returning Officer, Sidney Namulungu, announced that the declaration of the elected governor would be made today in Nairobi.
The statement by the IEBC official came hours after police were engaged in running battles with supporters of the two leading contenders, Moitalel ole Kenta, of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and Patrick Ntutu of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
"Reference is made to Regulation 84 of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012 on the tallying of the final result of an election. However, due to the breach of peace at the county tallying centre, it will be impossible to continue with the declaration of the county governor election result at the tallying centre.
"Owing to the foregoing, the proceedings at the IEBC Narok county tallying centre Maasai Mara University, are hereby moved to the national tallying centre at Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi for purposes of declaration of the county governor results on August 14," read the IEBC statement in part.
Earlier, Ntutu and Kenta's supporters clashed at the county tallying center with each of the teams claiming victory before the official announcement by the electoral body.
This saw Narok County Commissioner, Isaac Masinde, convene a security meeting of top security officers in the county to address the security challenges.
Consequently, the police banned the two factions from holding meetings in Narok town before the results were officially announced.
Further, Masinde called on the IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati to intervene following the delays.
"We have information that there is so much tension in the county because all want the certificate while the results have not been announced officially. I also appeal to Chebukati to take up the issue of counting votes so that we deal with this issue," Masinde stated.
The announcement of the governor-elect was the only position postponed in the county after Ledama Ole Kina retained his seat as the Senator.
Rebecca Tonkei of UDA was declared the Narok Woman Representative-elect.
