Kenyans go to the polls today to choose a leader to steer the country for the next five years.
Polling stations across the country are already open with thousands already queued up to cast their ballots.
NTV’s Herbert Zziwa has been to some of the polling centers in Nairobi and reports that queues started forming as early 4:00am.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, over 19.6million people are expected to cast the ballot today from 11,155 polling centers spread out across the country.
To ensure security, the Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet said that over 150,000 officers have been deployed across the country to ensure a violent free election process.
There are eight contenders in the race for Kenya’s presidency. These are Ekuru Aukot from Third Way Alliance Kenya, Abduba Dida of the Alliance for Real Change, Cyrus Jirogo from United Democratic Party, Independent candidates Japheth Kaluyu, Michael Mwaura and Joseph Nyagah.
The others are Raila Odinga from the National Super Alliance and the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta of the Jubilee Party of Kenya.
The contest mainly between these two long-time rival is seen as too close to call.
Uhuru Kenyatta, the 55-year-old son of Kenya’s founding president, is seeking a second and final term in office and is expected to cast his vote at 10:00am at Gatundu.
On the eve of the election, President Uhuru Kenyatta appealed for calm in a televised speech.
He urged the 19 million registered voters to turn out in great numbers, but to “do so in peace”.
Observers too have also reechoed the call for peace to prevail in the country.
Former US Secretary of State John Kerry is among the world leaders that are in Kenya to observe the process.
Back at home, the ministry of internal affairs has given assurance on the country’s border security.
This follows fears raised over possible violence from today’s elections in neighboring Kenya.
In 2007 more than 1,100 Kenyans died and 600,000 were displaced after a disputed election.
However, the ministry spokesperson Jacob Siminyu tells KFM that there is adequate security at the border ready to counter any situation that could arise.
