VOA常速英语2007年-Voting Peaceful in Kenya's Second City

By Derek Kilner
Nairobi
27 December 2007

Voting is under way in Mombasa, Kenya's second city and its main port. As Derek Kilner reports for VOA, the situation has been largely calm, despite delays in the opening of some polling stations.

The normally bustling¹ streets of Mombasa's downtown have turned quiet, with most shops shuttered for Election Day. Activity is concentrated in the lines snaking back from polling stations at primary schools and other government buildings. Crowds of people gather to watch the lines, fingers stained purple to indicate they have already cast their vote.

Samuel Adee, a vendor², says he waited for more than four hours to cast his vote.

"I came here very early in the morning, as from 6:00 a.m. I've just voted, just now. They are very slow, I don't think they will finish up in time," said Adee.

Johnson Munene has also been waiting since 6 am and has almost made it to the front of the line.

"We are ready to wait, even if it is until tomorrow. We have to vote. That is what we have decided³. Everybody who is here is ready to vote no matter how long it is going to take," he said.

Munene reserved judgment⁴ on whether the vote would end up being fair. Basil Mjomba, an insurance agent, agreed that the process was too slow. Mjomba, who says he voted for Raila Odinga, played down the possibility of rigging.

"No, no, well there were some rumors⁵ over the radio that there would be rigging. But from the ground, I think rigging is not possible, because it has several procedures one has to go and then ultimately vote," said Odinga. "So I won't see any rigging coming out."

Odinga has charged the government with attempts to rig the election in recent days. At an incident in Kisumu, Western Kenya, Wednesday, three policeman were killed by crowds protesting alleged⁶ rigging efforts.

Shop owner Ashok Vora, waiting in a queue to cast his ballot⁷, says he thinks things will remain largely calm.

"The Kenyan people really love peace, it seems like. Obviously there are some few elements that could create some problems. But majority we can say it's peace. You can see how peacefully the people are waiting over here, no chaos," said Vora.

The latest poll, by the Steadman Group, indicates Raila Odinga leading President Kibaki in Mombasa's strongly Muslim Coast Province by 57 percent to 31 percent.

Rahilu Omar, sitting in a group of women waiting to vote for Odinga, says women are turning out to vote in greater numbers this year. She says she believes Odinga will do more to help women.

"Raila, ODM. We want jobs. We want everything. We've studied hard, but we have no jobs, women. We are sure he will do this," said Omar.

Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement is also leading Kibaki's Party of National Unity⁸ in Coast Province. National polls conducted before the vote have also put Odinga ahead, but by a narrow margin⁹. Many say the vote will be too close to call. Results are expected as early as Friday.

1 bustling   

adj.喧闹的

参考例句：

• The market was bustling with life. 市场上生机勃勃。
• This district is getting more and more prosperous and bustling. 这一带越来越繁华了。

2 vendor   

n.卖主；小贩

参考例句：

• She looked at the vendor who cheated her the other day with distaste.她厌恶地望着那个前几天曾经欺骗过她的小贩。
• He must inform the vendor immediately.他必须立即通知卖方。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

5 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

7 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

8 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

9 margin   

n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘

参考例句：

• We allowed a margin of 20 minutes in catching the train.我们有20分钟的余地赶火车。
• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。