Nairobi — Some 650 observers monitored the Ainamoi by-election - one of the closely watched polls in the country.

The Institute of Education in Democracy topped the list of the Electoral Commission of Kenya-accredited observers with 119, one in each polling station in addition to its director and chief executive officer. Other observer organisations included the American and Finnish embassies, the Canadian high commission and a host of local and international human rights bodies.

"We are very happy with the observer turnout in this by-election," said the Kericho district elections coordinator, Ms Catherine Lang'at.

Redeem image

ECK is seeking to redeem its image in the by-elections after the disputed December 27, 2007, General Election. The by-elections were held Wednesday in Ainamoi, Wajir North, Embakasi, Kilgoris and Emuhaya. The observers expressed satisfaction with the voting in Ainamoi and said they were anticipating a free and fair process. They called on the candidates to accept the outcome. Ms Lang'at regretted the low voter turnout, blaming it on poor weather conditions and the Tuesday deaths of two MPs from the region.

Meanwhile, workers in tea estates in the area failed to vote after their employers refused to give them time off. Most of them remained in the farms and factories conducting business as usual.