Kenya Election: Early Result Puts Opposition Leader Ahead

Early election results in Kenya has shown that veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga is leading making Deputy President William Ruto to come second.

According to results provided by the Kenyan election commission and displayed on a large screen at a national tallying center in the capital, Nairobi, shows over 26% of votes counted, Odinga had 54% and Ruto had 45%.

The East African wealthiest nation and most vibrant democracy held presidential, parliamentary, and local elections on Tuesday.

Read Also:Kenya goes to Polls

Report says Ruto and Odinga are in a tight race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has reached his two-term limit.

Meanwhile, official vote tallying has been proceeding slowly, fueling public anxiety.

Election commission chairman, Wafula Chebukati blamed Party Agents, who are allowed to scrutinise results forms before they are added to the final tally.

“Agents in this exercise cannot proceed … as if we are doing a forensic audit,

“We are not moving as fast as we should. This exercise needs to be concluded as soon as possible,” he said.

Representatives from Odinga and Ruto’s coalitions did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Report says Kenyan election law requires that the result form are physically brought to the national tallying center, where party representatives can examine them for any discrepancies.

The process was designed as a safeguard against the kind of rigging allegations that might trigger violence after polls.

More than 1,200 people were killed after a disputed 2007 election and more than 100 were killed after a disputed 2017 election.

The winning candidate must receive 50% of the national vote plus one, and at least 25% of the vote from 24 of 47 counties.

The commission has until Tuesday to declare a winner.

REUTERS/CO