This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7160780.stm

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Kenyans vote amid fears of fraud Kenyans vote amid fears of fraud
(30 minutes later)
Long queues of voters are waiting to cast their ballots, as Kenyans choose a president in an atmosphere marred by accusations of poll rigging.Long queues of voters are waiting to cast their ballots, as Kenyans choose a president in an atmosphere marred by accusations of poll rigging.
President Mwai Kibaki is seeking a second term, in what is seen as the tightest election in Kenya's history.President Mwai Kibaki is seeking a second term, in what is seen as the tightest election in Kenya's history.
"I have not even milked my cow because today we are putting our country first," said Mary Muthoni Gikiri as she waited to vote."I have not even milked my cow because today we are putting our country first," said Mary Muthoni Gikiri as she waited to vote.
Mr Kibaki faces his toughest challenge from his former ally, Raila Odinga.Mr Kibaki faces his toughest challenge from his former ally, Raila Odinga.
Mr Odinga has been the front-runner in opinion polls in recent weeks - yet his team has accused the president's side of dirty tricks.Mr Odinga has been the front-runner in opinion polls in recent weeks - yet his team has accused the president's side of dirty tricks.
'Rumours''Rumours'
The queue of voters stretches for more than a kilometre outside one Nairobi polling station.The queue of voters stretches for more than a kilometre outside one Nairobi polling station.
I can see people shaking their fists BBC's Ruth Nesoba, Kibera Reporters' logVoters' logI can see people shaking their fists BBC's Ruth Nesoba, Kibera Reporters' logVoters' log
In the western town of Kisumu, the line of people at a primary school goes across a football pitch.In the western town of Kisumu, the line of people at a primary school goes across a football pitch.
But in the slum of Kibera, tempers are fraying at one polling station, as voting has not started, more than two hours late. But in the slum of Kibera, tempers are fraying at one polling station, as voting has not started some four hours late.
Correspondents say the final hours before polls were characterised by mud-slinging, with Mr Odinga's supporters accusing the president of using state security agents to help rig the polls. But generally, turnout looks to be high, according to chief EU election monitor Alexander Graf Lambsdorff.
Three police officers were killed in Kisumu, after the opposition alleged that they were carrying pre-marked ballot papers. "According to reports from across the country, voting is relatively calm and Kenyans are turning up in great numbers to vote," he told the AFP news agency.
Earlier, he invited anyone with evidence of election fraud to come forward.
"As far as allegations of rigging are concerned, they are just that - allegations," he told the BBC.
Mr Odinga's supporters have accused the president of using state security agents to help rig the polls.
Kibaki: Dream or nightmare?Odinga: King-maker Three police officers were killed in Kisumu, after the opposition alleged that they were carrying pre-marked ballot papers.
The president has denied having any involvement in election fraud.The president has denied having any involvement in election fraud.
Kibaki: Dream or nightmare?Odinga: King-maker Chief EU election monitor Alexander Graf Lambsdorff said he had not received any evidence of rigging.
"So far this is at the level of rumours and allegations."
More than 14 million Kenyans are eligible to vote - they are also voting in parliamentary and local elections.More than 14 million Kenyans are eligible to vote - they are also voting in parliamentary and local elections.
President Kibaki, running under the banner of a broad-based coalition known as the Party of National Unity, hopes his economic record will secure a second term.President Kibaki, running under the banner of a broad-based coalition known as the Party of National Unity, hopes his economic record will secure a second term.
Mr Odinga, who heads the Orange Democratic Movement, played a key role in Mr Kibaki's 2002 victory.Mr Odinga, who heads the Orange Democratic Movement, played a key role in Mr Kibaki's 2002 victory.
But the pair fell out soon afterwards.But the pair fell out soon afterwards.
Mr Kibaki's critics accuse him of failing to keep his promise to tackle corruption.Mr Kibaki's critics accuse him of failing to keep his promise to tackle corruption.
There are eight candidates standing in the presidential elections.There are eight candidates standing in the presidential elections.
Email your observations by clicking on the link below. Email us your voting experiencesEmail your observations by clicking on the link below. Email us your voting experiences
Or you can text us your election day observations to +44 7786 20 50 85 but please remember to tell us your name and where you are.Or you can text us your election day observations to +44 7786 20 50 85 but please remember to tell us your name and where you are.