The first update from Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), soon after voting stations opened countrywide this morning, reveals that more ICT personnel have had to be deployed to help resolve challenges experienced on the Kenya Integrated Elections Management Systems (KIEMS).

KIEMS has been acquired to manage voter registration, voter identification and results transmission.

Wafula Chebukati, Chairperson at the IEBC says no major hitches have been reported from the 40,833 polling stations - apart from delayed openings in some areas as well as a few technical issues that are being addressed by extra ICT support staff from the IEBC.

"We are aware of reports that in some cases the identification took longer than expected while some officers had challenges switching on the KIEMS kits. Our clerks have also been instructed to use alphanumeric identification, whereby they key in the voter ID number into the IEBC platform to confirm registration. We are also replacing some of the KIEMS kits. We would like to reassure you that our officers have been deployed to resolve the technical issues. Some of the areas where we have deployed extra ICT support staff include Wajir, Eldas, Isiolo, Dadaab, Borabu, and Fafi."

Chebukati adds that voters can use the IEBC's dedicated phone lines free of charge from any of Kenya's network operators with questions or concerns.

"...we urge you to be patient and calm as the results start streaming in later in the day. We acknowledge the fact that you want to know if the person you voted for is the winner. However, we would urge you to restrain from speculation and await the final result to be announced."

There has been growing concern about the technical management of the election, especially after after IEBC ICT manager Chris Musando was found dead last week.

Musando led the implementation of KIEMS prior to his death. Investigations into his death are ongoing. The IEBC is expected to issue further updates and results as soon as they are available from the National Tallying Centre in Nairobi throughout election day.

Thusfar there has been no report of action taken against anyone for the breach of internet use rules issued by Kenya's Communications authority (CA).

The CA's Director General Francis Wangusi issued a warning last week that the body will shut down fake websites or social media accounts that broadcast fake news during this election period.

The CA and Kenya's National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) published "Guidelines on Prevention of Dissemination of Undesirable Bulk and Premium Rate Political Messages and Political Social Media Content via Electronic Communications Networks" that are to be observed during the 2017 election.