Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru says United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroot elections had recorded impressive voter turnout despite many of the polling stations opening late.

Waiguru who casted her vote at Kiamugumo Primary school at around 2.30pm, said, however, delay in opening of the polling stations had affected voter turnout.

The Governor said many of the polling stations had recorded and average of about 200 voters saying the turn out was a prove that the party still enjoys a strong grassroot support.

“Bearing in mind this was not a general election but a party election, we take the turn out as encouraging, and a prove that the party has solid support on ground, ” she said.

She said some of the polling centres opened as late as 2pm when voters who had shown up early had given up and left.

“We are hopeful that today’s elections will be conducted in a credible manner. The exercise was scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. However, Presiding Officers arrived at some polling stations at around 2pm,” Waiguru said.

The Governor also noted that several voters names and candidates were also missing in the party register and urged for system upgrade for accuracy.

The Governor who is also UDA party member said by mid-day, Presiding Officers had not arrived in many of polling stations in Mwea, Gichugu and Kirinyaga Central poll constituencies. By 12noon, voting had not commenced at Thome, Ciagini, Gatwiri, Gategi B, and Marurumo polling stations in Wamumu ward as there were no Presiding Officers while in Nyangati Ward voting had not commenced at Kutus Primary, Kutus Secondary, St. Paul Primary.

Same scenario was witnessed at Diffathas, Gathigi-ini, Ikurungu, Itangi, Ithiga Ria Njuki, Kadawa, Karuangi, Mathiga Primary, Miatuini Primary, Mugamba–Ciura Primary, Togonye Factory, Togonye Primary, Urumandi, Mumbuini, and Murinduko Primary in Murinduko Ward. In Gichugu Constituency, Gathoge Polling Station had a missing Presiding Officer, similar to Mutito in Kirinyaga Central Constituency.

Waiguru said she had called the party top officials to extend voting deadline from 3pm to 6pm. However, Waiguru said the elections had gone on smoothly without being interrupted. The second term Governor called for more dialogue and consultations within the party to strengthen its internal system, to revamp its operations across the country. The Governor exuded confidence that her line up will win the elections. She, however, pledged to unite all members after today’s elections.

On Mt. Kenya region politics, Waiguru urged the residents to remain united in the ruling party and not to be hoodwinked to join the opposition. She said development and political interests for Mt Kenya region are more secure in President William Ruto’s government because the region had overwhelmingly voted for it.

“Politics is about interests, we must shun emotions and think logically on where our region interests are well served, this region is already well represented in Kenya Kwanza Government, and any attempt to move out may keep us in political cold for many years,” she cautioned.