Tense Kenya awaits results of disputed election

NAIROBI: Kenya nervously awaited Thursday the final results of its presidential election, with the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta holding a strong lead after a vote tainted by opposition claims of rigging and the death of four people, reports AFP.

International observer missions called for calm and restraint as the results were being finalised a day after isolated protests broke out following opposition leader Raila Odinga's rejection of the early tally.

"Elections should never be a matter of life of death," said Marietje Schaake, head of the European Union observer mission.

Kenyatta, 55, who is seeking a second term in office, appeared to have an unassailable lead with 54 percent to Odinga's 44.8 percent, according to a provisional count of Tuesday's ballot, released by the electoral commission (IEBC).

Odinga, 72, who claims elections in 2007 and 2013 were stolen from him, charged that hackers broke into the IEBC's systems and rigged the count -- an allegation that fuelled uncertainty in what was already a tight race.

"This is an attack on our democracy. The 2017 general election was a fraud," said Odinga.

IEBC chief Ezra Chiloba said the electronic voting system -- seen as key to avoiding fraud -- had not been compromised.

"Our election management system is secure. There was no external or internal interference to the system at any point before, during or after the voting," he told a press conference.

However Odinga's claims were enough to spark isolated protests in his strongholds in several Nairobi slums and the western city of Kisumu on Wednesday.

Clashes with protesters left two people dead in Nairobi's Mathare slum. The capital's police chief said officers opened fire after they were attacked by men wielding machetes.

In the southeastern Tana River region, police killed two people after a group of five stormed a vote-tallying centre and stabbed one person.

Meanwhile daily life almost ground to a halt for a third day in the capital and elsewhere as the country held its breath, with memories still fresh of post-election violence in 2007 that left 1,100 people dead.

"We find ourselves at a crossroads once again," the Daily Nation newspaper warned grimly.

"The nation is sitting precariously on the precipice. The dispute over poll results is creating needless anxiety."

It remained unclear whether final results would be officially published on Thursday. Under Kenya's electoral law, the definitive results must be published within a week of polling.

International observers from the African Union, Commonwealth and European Union largely praised a peaceful day of voting, while urging patience as results are finalised by the IEBC.

"They are working around the clock. It's important they have the time to do these procedures well. We continue to urge everyone to be calm, to be resilient and to be peaceful," said the EU's Schaake.

Tense Kenya awaits results of disputed election

NAIROBI: Kenya nervously awaited Thursday the final results of its presidential election, with the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta holding a strong lead after a vote tainted by opposition claims of rigging and the death of four people, reports AFP. International observer missions called for calm and restraint as the results were being finalised a day after isolated protests broke out following opposition leader Raila Odingas rejection of the early tally. Elections should never be a matter of life of death, said Marietje Schaake, head of the European Union observer mission. Kenyatta, 55, who is seeking a second term in office, appeared to have an unassailable lead with 54 percent to Odingas 44.8 percent, according to a provisional count of Tuesdays ballot, released by the electoral commission (IEBC). Odinga, 72, who claims elections in 2007 and 2013 were stolen from him, charged that hackers broke into the IEBCs systems and rigged the count -- an allegation that fuelled uncertainty in what was already a tight race. This is an attack on our democracy. The 2017 general election was a fraud, said Odinga. IEBC chief Ezra Chiloba said the electronic voting system -- seen as key to avoiding fraud -- had not been compromised. Our election management system is secure. There was no external or internal interference to the system at any point before, during or after the voting, he told a press conference. However Odingas claims were enough to spark isolated protests in his strongholds in several Nairobi slums and the western city of Kisumu on Wednesday. Clashes with protesters left two people dead in Nairobis Mathare slum. The capitals police chief said officers opened fire after they were attacked by men wielding machetes. In the southeastern Tana River region, police killed two people after a group of five stormed a vote-tallying centre and stabbed one person. Meanwhile daily life almost ground to a halt for a third day in the capital and elsewhere as the country held its breath, with memories still fresh of post-election violence in 2007 that left 1,100 people dead. We find ourselves at a crossroads once again, the Daily Nation newspaper warned grimly. The nation is sitting precariously on the precipice. The dispute over poll results is creating needless anxiety. It remained unclear whether final results would be officially published on Thursday. Under Kenyas electoral law, the definitive results must be published within a week of polling. International observers from the African Union, Commonwealth and European Union largely praised a peaceful day of voting, while urging patience as results are finalised by the IEBC. They are working around the clock. Its important they have the time to do these procedures well. We continue to urge everyone to be calm, to be resilient and to be peaceful, said the EUs Schaake.