Kenyans in Uganda vote for their president in repeat poll

Kenyan nationals in Uganda began voting Thursday in a repeat election that has polarised their nation and is likely to be fiercely disputed in the absence of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is boycotting the vote.
In stark contrast to the first edition of the election, which was annulled last month by the Supreme Court, a polling station at the Kenya High commission in Uganda saw only a trickle of voters.

Maj Gen Geoffrey Okanga, the Kenyan ambassador to Uganda after casting his vote said that his nationals are exercising their democratic right as ordered by the Supreme Court and that the poll’s credibility will depend on how IEBC handles the process and what the Kenyan people decide.
"We hope that what we achieve today will take the country forward to the next stage. Some people had asked for minimal reforms and without these reforms, they have decided not to come which is part of their right," he said.

On the situation back home, Maj Gen Okanga said: "I understand that in some places, people have come to vote whereas in others, they have refrained from participating. That is their democratic right."
According to him, Kenya's future will depend on the outcome of today's election.

Ms Eva Kiohi, a Kenyan trader based in Uganda says she turned up to exercise her democratic right despite NASA leader, Raila Odinga’s call upon voters not to participate in what he called a sham election.

Ms Edith Muruji, a Kenyan working in Uganda hopes that Kenya will be peaceful after the election.
"I don't think there's anyone who can decide for me whether I want to vote on not,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Micheal Kibogo says he wants the electioneering process to end so that they can go back to their business.

Earlier, Mr Samuel Waweru, a presiding officer at Diaspora Constituency, Polling Station Kampala 1 told this reporter that voting opened at 6am and will close at 5pm.
“The process is going on well. We have two polling stations here (Kenya High Commission) each with 592 voters,” he said.

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The election is the chaotic climax of a political drama that began when the Supreme Court overturned the victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 8 elections.
It cited "irregularities" and mismanagement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Kenyatta, who turns 56 on Thursday, is almost assured victory after veteran opposition leader Odinga withdrew, citing fears the poll would be marred by the same flaws which saw the August vote overturned.
The boycott, in an acrimonious political environment marked by violence and intimidation, is likely to tarnish the credibility of Kenyatta's victory and open the vote up for further legal battles.

The dispute has plunged east Africa's richest economy into its worst political crisis since a 2007 election sparked politically driven ethnic violence that left 1,100 dead.