Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials wait for voters at a polling station. [Photo/Daily Nation]
Jubilee Party leaders in Western have accused the opposition of the low voter turnout experienced on Thursday during the repeat presidential election.
In Bungoma County, where local leaders had promised President Uhuru Kenyatta massive support, voter apathy was recorded in many polling stations.
Kenneth Lusaka, the Speaker of the Senate, claimed many people were scared out of voting by threats from the Opposition alliance, NASA.
"We know they have been scared by the threats issued and so many residents were watching if there is chaos and disruptions before they come out to vote," the former Bungoma Governor told The Standard.
Echoing the same sentiments, Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe said many residents snubbed the poll for fearing for their lives.
"The low turnout can be attributed to calls to boycott the election, which has caused fear among some of the voters. However, we are committed to ensuring the election continues and a winner declared so that the country can move on," the MP said on Thursday.
Sirisia legislator and his Kimilili counterpart Didymus Barasa hit out at NASA for 'holding the country hostage', adding that it was a civic right for people to participate in the poll.