Kenya election: Tense wait for Kenyatta and Odinga

BBC ^ | 8 March 2013 Last updated at 07:34 ET

[Pan_Yan]

Kenya's presidential rivals are still waiting for the results of Monday's election, as a vote count beset by glitches enters a fourth day.

With 80% of constituencies declared, Uhuru Kenyatta has a clear lead, with just under 50% of the vote.

If he fails to secure more than 50%, he will face a run-off vote against his rival, Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Mr Kenyatta is due to face trial in The Hague in July for crimes against humanity.

He is accused of fuelling communal violence after the 2007 election that saw more than 1,000 people killed and 600,000 forced from their homes. He denies the accusations.

Trials at the International Criminal Court (ICC) typically last for years, and it is unclear how Mr Kenyatta would be able to govern Kenya, if elected.

Countries including the US and UK have hinted that his election as president would have consequences for their relations with the Nairobi government - comments which have been dismissed in Nairobi as unwanted foreign interference in domestic matters.

[Pan_Yan]

Obama's buddy Odinga lost a disputed election in 2007 which led to widespread violence and a truce making him Prime Minister. If Kenyetta can't muster 50% they go to a runoff.

[struggle]

Didn’t Odinga start the violence? Why is he not being charged?

[yldstrk]

Odinga = Ocriminal

[G Larry]

I think I know where they can find a natural born Kenyan to run their country.

Puleez!!

[null and void]

Didn’t Odinga start the violence? Why is he not being charged?

He has a Kenyan birth certificate?...

[Pan_Yan]

Here's a good primer for anyone who doesn't know the story or wants a refresher:

Obama and Odinga: The True Story
Canada Free Press August 8, 2008