Election officials in Kenya are counting votes from the country’s presidential election, with the candidate who faces charges at the International Criminal Court taking an early lead.
With a third of the vote counted, early results today showed deputy prime minister Uhuru Kenyatta leading prime minister Raila Odinga by 54 per cent to 41 per cent. Few votes have been counted from Mr Odinga’s stronghold, the western city of Kisumu.
Long lines formed around the country yesterday. Election officials estimate that turnout was about 70 per cent. Attacks by separatists on the coast killed 19 people.
Mr Kenyatta faces charges at the International Criminal Court over allegations that he helped orchestrate post-election violence in 2007-08, when more than 1,000 people were killed.
Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, was quiet today and no violence was reported in the country.
PA