National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah has explained the low voter turnout reported in some polling centres during the ongoing United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots elections in Kiambu County.
Speaking after casting his vote, Ichung’wah said the slow turnout was mainly caused by delays in the delivery of digital voting gadgets to several polling stations.
According to him, the late arrival of the equipment forced the exercise to start later than scheduled, discouraging some voters from participating.
He assured party members that the UDA elections committee had taken note of the challenges and would extend voting hours in affected areas to ensure fairness.
He assured party members that the UDA elections committee had taken note of the challenges and would extend voting hours in affected areas to ensure fairness.
Ichung’wah emphasized that the party is committed to conducting transparent and credible grassroots elections across all the counties involved.
“The delays were unfortunate, but they were logistical issues that can be corrected. Extra time will be given so that no member is denied the chance to vote,” he said.
The UDA grassroots elections are being conducted in 20 counties as the party seeks to strengthen its structures from the ward level upwards.
“The delays were unfortunate, but they were logistical issues that can be corrected. Extra time will be given so that no member is denied the chance to vote,” he said.
The UDA grassroots elections are being conducted in 20 counties as the party seeks to strengthen its structures from the ward level upwards.
However, the process has faced criticism in some areas due to logistical hiccups, including insufficient gadgets and delayed deployment of election officials.
Kiambaa Member of Parliament John Njuguna Kawanjiku also weighed in on the issue, calling on the party’s elections committee to improve voter education.
Kiambaa Member of Parliament John Njuguna Kawanjiku also weighed in on the issue, calling on the party’s elections committee to improve voter education.
He noted that some voters were confused about the voting process and the use of digital gadgets.
Kawanjiku further urged the party to deploy more voting devices in areas with large populations to prevent congestion and long queues, which he said could discourage participation.
Despite the challenges reported in some parts of Kiambu County, voter turnout in Kikuyu and Kiambaa constituencies was described as relatively fair.
Kawanjiku further urged the party to deploy more voting devices in areas with large populations to prevent congestion and long queues, which he said could discourage participation.
Despite the challenges reported in some parts of Kiambu County, voter turnout in Kikuyu and Kiambaa constituencies was described as relatively fair.
Polling stations such as Kikuyu and Gachie Town Primary Schools recorded steady voter flow, with both Ichung’wah and Kawanjiku casting their ballots at the centres.
The UDA leadership has maintained that the issues experienced are minor and manageable, expressing confidence that the elections will be completed successfully.
The UDA leadership has maintained that the issues experienced are minor and manageable, expressing confidence that the elections will be completed successfully.
Party officials say lessons learned from the current exercise will help improve future internal polls.
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