Eldoret, Kenya (CNN) -- Kenyans went to the polls Wednesday in a historic referendum on a new constitution that could be the first step toward a truly functioning government for East Africa's largest economy.
Before dawn, long lines already had formed at the main polling station in Uasin Gishu Primary School in Eldoret. Located in the country's restive Rift Valley, it was the scene of some of the worst violence after the last election that left more than 1,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless.
There have been no reports of violence so far.
The numbers at the Eldoret location thinned considerably throughout the day after hundreds converged on the center at the start of the day. But there was a steady trickle of voters, such as small businessman Samuel Ngure, who said he wants "a new Kenya." Another, Vivian Mutai, a first-year university student, said she wants to cast a ballot to be "part of history".
Steven Maina, a fruit seller, closed down his business to come and vote.
"I don't see it as a loss because I'll gain," Maina told CNN. "For example I had to move my family from the farm to town during this voting period for fear of violence. But if the constitution passes, I'll never need to do that again".
Polling at the vast majority of the country's 27,000 stations started on time at 6 a.m., said Andrew Limo, spokesman for the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.
Counting started by hand in Eldoret after the polls closed at 5 p.m. local time, and the results could be announced Friday. CNN
