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Kenyans go to the polls in crucial election Kenyans go to the polls in crucial election
(35 minutes 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. Long queues are reported around the country and voters' main complaint has been having to wait under a hot sun.
But there has been a series of violent incidents around the port town of Mombasa, with at least five police officers killed in one attack.
Authorities have urged Kenyans to avoid the widespread bloodshed that followed the disputed 2007 election.
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. Biometric kits fail
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. Reports from around the country suggested long lines of voters had formed even before polling stations opened - and some voters, such as those in Eldoret, are waiting up to 10 hours to vote.
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 in 2007.
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 should not be credible.
Five police officers and at least six other people - including several attackers - died in the assault in the early hours in Changamwe, half an hour's drive inland from the centre of Mombasa.
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.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.
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.
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.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • 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
  • 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
  • In Kiharu, Muranga county, a 72-year-old woman fainted and died while waiting to cast her vote
  • 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, reports said
  • 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
  • In Kiharu, Muranga county, a 72-year-old woman fainted and died while waiting to cast her vote
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.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.
Two-horse raceTwo-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.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.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 in the capital 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.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".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'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. Both men deny any wrongdoing.Mr Kenyatta's running mate, William Ruto, has also been indicted. Both men deny any wrongdoing.
The violence broke out after Mr Odinga claimed he had been cheated of victory by supporters of President Mwai 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. Mr Odinga later joined a government of national unity under a peace deal.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.
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 the "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.
Some 99,000 police officers have been deployed around the country.Some 99,000 police officers have been deployed around the country.
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.