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Kenyans go to the polls in crucial election Kenyans go to the polls in crucial election
(about 1 hour later)
Kenyans are voting in an election that observers describe as the most important in the country's history.Kenyans are voting in an election that observers describe as the most important in the country's history.
It is the first time a vote has taken place under a new constitution, designed to prevent a repeat of violence that followed the 2007 polls.It is the first time a vote has taken place under a new constitution, designed to prevent a repeat of violence that followed the 2007 polls.
More than 1,000 people died in ethnic and political violence following claims the poll had been rigged.More than 1,000 people died in ethnic and political violence following claims the poll had been rigged.
Despite appeals for calm, at least five police officers died when they were attacked near Mombasa on Monday.Despite appeals for calm, at least five police officers died when they were attacked near Mombasa on Monday.
At least six other people - including several attackers - are also reported to have died in the assault in the early hours in Changamwe, half an hour's drive inland from the centre of Mombasa.At least six other people - including several attackers - are also reported to have died in the assault in the early hours in Changamwe, half an hour's drive inland from the centre of Mombasa.
Kibera is one of Nairobi's largest slums - and Raila Odinga's constituency. It was the scene of some of the worst violence following the last election in 2007. On Monday, many had arrived before dawn, waiting patiently in line, sometimes for hours. Voters cast their ballots into colour-coded boxes - six each - for a variety of different representatives, local and national. There have been further disturbances in the town of Kilifi, north of Mombasa, where six civilians were killed, but details of the incident remain sketchy.
The memories of five years ago are still fresh and, as the campaign drew to a close, a sense of apprehension was palpable.
But as the sun grew hotter and the umbrellas came out, the mood was upbeat. "Peace, peace," one crowd shouted as a truck of paramilitary police trundled past.
Frustration is growing in the long queues as the heat beats down.
People have been queuing since 05:00, an hour before the polls opened, but the biometric voter ID systems are not working at most polling stations in this north-eastern town so electoral officials have had to resort to the manual voters registers.
The computerised fingerprint and facial identification was introduced after the last election to prevent any fraud. Despite these difficulties and fears of insecurity people are determined to vote. Those queuing are buying water to pour over their heads and some are sitting under umbrellas.
There have been further disturbances in the town of Kilifi, north of Mombasa, where two civilians were among six shot dead, but details remain sketchy.
Presidential prize
Reports from around the country suggested long lines of voters had formed even before polling stations opened.Reports from around the country suggested long lines of voters had formed even before polling stations opened.
Some technical difficulties were reported with newly instituted biometric voting kits - designed to counter claims of vote-rigging and long delays in announcing poll results that were partly blamed for the violence last time.Some technical difficulties were reported with newly instituted biometric voting kits - designed to counter claims of vote-rigging and long delays in announcing poll results that were partly blamed for the violence last time.
In places, electoral officials are having to use the manual voter registers, delaying voting. But Lilian Mahiri-Zaja, vice-chair of Kenya's independent electoral commission, said manual registers were complete and there was no reason why the election would not be credible. In places, electoral officials are having to use the manual voter registers, delaying voting. But Lilian Mahiri-Zaja, vice-chair of Kenya's independent electoral commission, said the registers were complete and there was no reason why the election would not be credible.
The BBC's Bashkas Jugsodaay in Garissa says there were three explosions in three different polling stations in Mandera, a town on the border with Somalia, as officials were preparing for polls to open. One person died. In other developments:
It was unclear whether the deaths around Mombasa were election-related.
  • The BBC's Bashkas Jugsodaay in Garissa says there were three explosions in three different polling stations in Mandera, a town on the border with Somalia, as officials were preparing for polls to open. One person died
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  • As well as the two deadly attacks near Mombasa, a third attack was reported in a village near Mishomoroni, but there was no information about casualties
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  • In Kiharu, Muranga county, a 72-year-old woman fainted and died while waiting to cast her vote
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It was unclear whether the deaths around Mombasa were election-related, but the Kenyan police chief said one of the attacks involved over 200 gang members, and in response he was sending an additional 400 officers to the area.
Some blamed a separatist group, the Mombasa Revolutionary Council (MRC) - which has called for an election boycott - for the incident in Changamwe, but others suggested it was just a convenient scapegoat.Some blamed a separatist group, the Mombasa Revolutionary Council (MRC) - which has called for an election boycott - for the incident in Changamwe, but others suggested it was just a convenient scapegoat.
Inspector General David Kimaiyo said that attack involved over 200 gang members, and warned the police would crush any militant groups out to cause chaos. He has flown out to Mombasa at the head of a high-powered security team. Two-horse race
Waiting in line outside polling stations in Nairobi hours before polls opened, the atmosphere was calm and people chanted "peace", reports the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in the capital. Waiting in line outside polling stations in Nairobi hours before polls opened, the atmosphere was calm and people chanted "peace", reports the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse.
In Garissa, frustration grew in the long queues as the heat beat down, our correspondent reports. Some used umbrellas to shelter from the sun and others bought water to pour over their heads.
Kenyans will choose a president, members of parliament and senators, county governors and members of 47 county assemblies.Kenyans will choose a president, members of parliament and senators, county governors and members of 47 county assemblies.
However, our correspondent says all eyes are on the presidency. However, our correspondent in the capital says all eyes are on the presidency.
Eight candidates are standing but it is essentially a two-horse race pitting Prime Minister Raila Odinga against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, he says.Eight candidates are standing but it is essentially a two-horse race pitting Prime Minister Raila Odinga against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, he says.
Some observers say they are particularly concerned about violence erupting should neither of the two frontrunners poll more than 50% - in which case the vote will go to a run-off, probably on 11 April.Some observers say they are particularly concerned about violence erupting should neither of the two frontrunners poll more than 50% - in which case the vote will go to a run-off, probably on 11 April.
On Monday, Mr Kenyatta said he was hopeful of victory but had "prepared myself as necessary" for defeat.
Earlier, Mr Odinga said Kenyans had turned out "in record numbers" and said he was confident they would vote "overwhelmingly for us".
Risk 'remains high'
Mr Kenyatta, son of Kenya's founding father Jomo Kenyatta, is due to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged role in orchestrating the violence five years ago.Mr Kenyatta, son of Kenya's founding father Jomo Kenyatta, is due to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged role in orchestrating the violence five years ago.
Mr Kenyatta's running mate, William Ruto, has also been indicted by the court. Both men deny any wrongdoing. Mr Kenyatta's running mate, William Ruto, has also been indicted. Both men deny any wrongdoing.
The post-election violence of 2007-8 broke out after Mr Odinga claimed he had been cheated of victory by supporters of President Kibaki. The violence broke out after Mr Odinga claimed he had been cheated of victory by supporters of President Mwai Kibaki.
Supporters of the rival candidates, from different ethnic groups, took up arms against each other. Supporters of the rival candidates, from different ethnic groups, took up arms against each other. Mr Odinga later joined a government of national unity under a peace deal.
Mr Odinga later joined a government of national unity under a peace deal.
The underlying sources of tension in the 2007-8 election remain, and in some parts have escalated, with the risk of violence "perilously high", warns Human Rights Watch.The underlying sources of tension in the 2007-8 election remain, and in some parts have escalated, with the risk of violence "perilously high", warns Human Rights Watch.
It says "near total impunity" of the perpetrators of violence has left them free to rape and kill again. It says the "near total impunity" of the perpetrators of violence has left them free to rape and kill again.
There have also been warnings of attempts by Somali militants and common criminals to disrupt the vote. Some 99,000 police officers have been deployed around the country.
Security is being stepped up with some 99,000 police officers being deployed around the country, at polling stations and vote-counting centres.
The polling stations are open from 06:00 to 17:00 local time (03:00-14:00 GMT), though officials say some may have to stay open until late into the night to allow everyone to vote.The polling stations are open from 06:00 to 17:00 local time (03:00-14:00 GMT), though officials say some may have to stay open until late into the night to allow everyone to vote.
Presidential candidates must secure support from across the country to be declared the winner, so they cannot just rely on support from their ethnic groups, as has been the case in previous elections.Presidential candidates must secure support from across the country to be declared the winner, so they cannot just rely on support from their ethnic groups, as has been the case in previous elections.
Official results will be announced by 11 March by the electoral commission.Official results will be announced by 11 March by the electoral commission.
Kenya elections: Maps and graphics Kenya elections: Maps and graphics
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Are you in Kenya? Do you plan to vote in the election? What challenges are facing the new government and president? Send us your thoughts and comments using the form below.Are you in Kenya? Do you plan to vote in the election? What challenges are facing the new government and president? Send us your thoughts and comments using the form below.