The United Democratic Alliance party's National Elections Board chairman Anthony Mwaura has explained why Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja could not vote at the grassroots polls for some time.
Sakaja who had gone to cast his vote at St Georges Primary School experienced technical challenges as the system briefly failed to recognise his registration details.
While briefing the press on the ongoing polls, Mwaura said Sakaja had registered as a member of the party using his Passport, but the issue had been sorted.
"There was a problem with the governor because he had registered using his passport but we have rectified that problem and everything is now flowing in that polling station," Mwaura said.
The polls began at 9am and are to close at 3pm.
Mwaura said that in places where glitches have been experienced, the time for closing will be extended to 5pm.
He added that they have now set up a call centre at the Hustler Centre, where all arising issues will be solved.
"We are excited by the technology we have adopted... everything is going on as scheduled and we are happy as a party.
"We have agreed with our party leader and deputy party leader that we must solve all problems and that is what we are doing. We have started a call centre here so that we can attend to all problems," Mwaura added.
The grassroots polls will be held in five counties; Nairobi, Busia, Narok, West Pokot and Homa Bay.
In Nairobi, the party has 853,000 registered members, Homa Bay (141,000), Narok (233,000), Busia (141,000) and West Pokot has 208,000.
A major face-off is expected in Nairobi where Governor Johnson Sakaja will face off with Embakasi North MP James Gakuya.
The UDA party procured 10,000 gadgets for the exercise and each cost about $75 (Sh10,000).
The second phase of the grassroots polls will be on June 22, in 13 counties, the third phase will be held on August 10 across 15 counties and the final phase on August 24, in 12 counties.
