Post date: Mar 04, 2013 1:3:39 PM
Voting continues across the country with millions estimated to have voted in the hstoric elections
NGONG HILLS, KENYA (MARCH04,2013)(REUTERS) - About 40 kilometres from Nairobi, voters in Ilmasin, a small village, south west of the capital, turned out to cast their vote in the country's historic general elections.
The region largely inhabited by the Masai community registered about 560 eligible voters. The Maasai are pastoralists who still practice their traditional way of life, moving from place to place in search nof water and pasture and store wealth in form of livestock.Daniel Motompa, the centre's presiding officer said that the main challenge faced during the exercise was lack of information seen among some voters on the regulations concerning a new voting process in which Kenyans will choose six leaders to represent them in a devolved system of governance.
"In fact the challenge we are facing now we have experienced that most of the people have not been done civic education, and when they are dropping their ballot papers here in fact I have seen that many of them are misplaced. So that is the greatest challenge we are facing."
However according to him, the turnout was very good.
"As per the voters turn out, to me it is so good because according to the percentage I have sent to the RO, to our tallying center, in fact the mood is so good. The percentage is high and we have been able to register a hundred in two hours as I have been told."
Voters said peace and development were their priorities.
"We want leaders who will bring us developments like schools, dispensaries, roads and water." said Jonathan Sipala.
Mary Karbali expressed her sentiments
"I would like to ask people to vote in peace and elect people who will take us forwards." said karbali.
Polls are expected to close by 1400GMT