Voting ongoing in Kiambaa and Muguga by-elections
Voters wait to cast their ballots.
Polls opened early Thursday in Kiambaa MP and Muguga Ward MCA races in Kiambu County.
Hundreds of residents made their way various polling stations as early as 4am. By 6.30am, long queues could be seen at various centres such as Karuri High School.
A voter casts their ballot at Karuri Primary School in Kiambaa constituency on July 15, 2021.
Voters queue at Karuri Primary School in Kiambaa constituency on July 15, 2021.
An elderly voter is led to Kimuga polling centre during the Kiambaa Parliamentary by-election on July 15, 2021.
Eight parliamentary candidates fight to replace Paul Koinange who died in March. But the race has narrowed to a fierce contest between the Jubilee Party and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) that is linked to Deputy President William Ruto.
The candidates are: Kariri Njama (Jubilee Party), Joe Njuguna Wanjiku (UDA), Evans Gichia (Peoples Party of Kenya), Willie Mbugua (Independent), Koromo Muchugi (Federal Party Kenya), David Mugo (Independent), Wanjiru Muthaka (PNU) and Njoroge Ngugi (TND Party).
Kariri Njama, Jubilee's candidate in the Kiambaa by-election, casts his ballot at Gacii Primary School on July 15, 2021.
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Veronica Maina (right) presents a certificate to John Njuguna to vie for the Kiambaa parliamentary seat at the party headquarters.
In Muguga Ward, Jubilee Party candidate Mr Githinji Mungera will be facing UDA candidate Kamau Thumbi.
Kiambaa constituency has 96,000 registered voters. Voting will take place in 154 polling stations spread across 5 wards.
Tuesday, the rival campaign teams traded accusations of vote rigging, without providing evidence, raising tensions around an election that is viewed as the first direct conflict between President Kenyatta, who met the Jubilee candidates in State House last week, and his rebel deputy.
A voter searches for his name at Muchatha Primary school polling centre on July 15, 2021 during the Kiambaa by-election.
Voters at Gacii Primary School polling centre on July 15, 2021 during the Kiambaa by-election.
Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya (in brown jacket) at Kimuga polling centre during the Kiambaa by-election on July 15, 2021.
Litmus test
The Kiambaa MP seat fell vacant after legislator Paul Koinange succumbed to Covid-19 complications in March this year, while the Muguga Ward seat, also in Kiambu, fell vacant after MCA Eliud Ngugi also succumbed to coronavirus.
The outcome of the two mini polls is widely seen as a litmus test, not only for Jubilee, which is keen to fight off the perception that President Uhuru Kenyatta's home turf has rebelled, but also for DP William Ruto-linked UDA party.
