Kenyans lined up before dawn to vote in a high-stakes election Tuesday, with the East African powerhouse on edge as two political heavyweights battle it out in a tight race for the presidency, IgbereTV reports
The country is hoping for a peaceful transition of power after almost a decade under President Uhuru Kenyatta, but concerns about vote-rigging linger after past election disputes spiralled into bloodshed.
More than 22 million people, about 40 per cent of them under 35, are registered to vote in an election held against a backdrop of soaring inflation, a punishing drought and disenchantment with the political elite.
Deputy president and erstwhile heir-apparent William Ruto, 55, is running against Raila Odinga, the 77-year-old veteran opposition leader now backed by longtime rival Kenyatta after a stunning shift in allegiances.
After a vitriolic campaign, voting was generally smooth.
But some incidents of delays in opening polling stations and problems with electronic voter registration equipment were reported.
And in one area in Nakuru county in western Kenya, police fired tear gas after youths blocked a road with burning tyres
