President Daniel arap Moi dissolved Kenya's parliament yesterday, paving the way for landmark general elections that will mark the end of his 24-year reign, one of the longest in Africa.
The vote is expected to be held next month, but the exact date has yet to be announced. The move ensures that presidential, legislative and local elections will be held under the current constitution, despite calls from some quarters that the polls should be put on hold until a thorough review of Kenya's basic law is completed.
The assembly, which had 210 elected and 12 nominated members, was established in 1997. The ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) party had a slim majority in the house.
The upcoming elections will mark the end of the Moi era, as the east African country's long-time ruler is barred by the constitution from running for president again.
KANU has nominated Mr Uhuru Kenyatta (41), the son of founding president Mr Jomo Kenyatta, as its presidential candidate, while the opposition National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) on Tuesday chose veteran politician Mr Mwai Kibaki (71) as its flag-bearer.
President Moi (78) has been in power since 1978, and KANU has been Kenya's ruling party since independence from Britain in 1963. Mr Moi has campaigned hard for Mr Kenyatta, despite a party revolt when dissidents, most of whom quit KANU in recent weeks, accused the president of "imposing" Mr Kenyatta on the party.
NARC comprises more than a dozen opposition parties and former leading figures from KANU.
- (AFP)