Kenyatta takes early lead after peaceful vote
Kenya’s president took an early lead as results from Tuesday’s national elections trickled in.
Incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta is hoping for a second time in office, but faces a tough challenge from his long-time rival Raila Odinga.
Kenyatta had nearly 58 percent of the vote after 5,455 of 40,883 polling stations had reported results, the electoral commission website said at 1700 GMT.
The electoral commission urged voters to wait calmly for results.
“During this critical phase, we urge all Kenyans to exercise restraint as we await official results from the polling stations and indeed as they start trickling in,” it said.
To win outright, a candidate needs more than 50% of the vote, and at least 25% in 24 of Kenya’s 47 counties. If that threshold is not met, a runoff vote between the top two candidates will be triggered.