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Odinga in front in Kenya election Odinga in front in Kenya election
(about 10 hours later)
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga is ahead of President Mwai Kibaki in a hard fought election, according to partial and unofficial results.Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga is ahead of President Mwai Kibaki in a hard fought election, according to partial and unofficial results.
But correspondents say most of the votes still to be counted are in the president's heartland.
In a setback for Mr Kibaki, 16 of his ministers lost their seats.In a setback for Mr Kibaki, 16 of his ministers lost their seats.
But correspondents say the president has been closing the gap and most of the remaining votes to be counted are in his heartland. Despite earlier tensions, triggered by counting delays, international observers have said the election was mainly well organised.
Despite isolated incidents of violence, international observers have said that the election was mainly well organised. Delayed results
By 2215 (1915 GMT), the Electoral Commission of Kenya had released results from 69 of 210 constituencies, putting Mr Odinga at 1,691,679 votes and Mr Kibaki at 1,222,725 in the presidential contest, Reuters news agency reported. By 0600 (0300 GMT), the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) had released results from half of Kenya's 210 constituencies, putting Mr Odinga at 2,755,111 votes and Mr Kibaki at 2,172,440 in the presidential contest, Reuters news agency reported.
Unofficial reports said that 50% of votes had been counted and President Kibaki trailed Mr Odinga and his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) by about one million votes. But the BBC's Adam Mynott in Nairobi says Mr Odinga's lead has narrowed considerably in the past few hours and there is still a mathematical possibility that President Kibaki could snatch victory.
But the BBC's Adam Mynott in Nairobi says the lead has narrowed considerably in the past few hours and there is still a mathematical possibility that President Kibaki could snatch victory.
The ECK head, Samuel Kivuito, has said there were delays in voting and counting, and the process of compiling results was going slowly.The ECK head, Samuel Kivuito, has said there were delays in voting and counting, and the process of compiling results was going slowly.
Isolated incidents of violence continued after the vote
Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has in turn accused the electoral commission of deliberately delaying the results, and now says Mr Kibaki should concede.
"Kibaki seems to be going out in a very untidy manner and really is not being respectful or grateful to the democratic process that put him in power," said ODM official Anyang Ngong.
Hundreds of Mr Odinga's supporters took to the streets in the west Kenyan city of Kisumu to protest against the delays.
Some demonstrators blocked roads and looted shops belonging to members of Mr Kibaki's Kikuyu ethnic group.
Not giving upNot giving up
Campaigners for Mr Kibaki continued to predict victory for the incumbent president.
"It is true that the ODM is ahead, but it's only fair to wait until the last ballot is counted before we know the winner of the elections," said Ngari Gituku, a spokesman for Mr Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU)."It is true that the ODM is ahead, but it's only fair to wait until the last ballot is counted before we know the winner of the elections," said Ngari Gituku, a spokesman for Mr Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU).
"We are not going to lose hope until the last soldier is shot down and we have no intention of giving up until such a time," he told AFP news agency, adding that his party had evidence of widespread rigging."We are not going to lose hope until the last soldier is shot down and we have no intention of giving up until such a time," he told AFP news agency, adding that his party had evidence of widespread rigging.
At the polls: Reporters' logVoters' viewsVote in picturesAt the polls: Reporters' logVoters' viewsVote in pictures
Mr Odinga's ODM has in turn accused the electoral commission of deliberately delaying the results, and now says Mr Kibaki should concede.
"Kibaki seems to be going out in a very untidy manner and really is not being respectful or grateful to the democratic process that put him in power," said ODM official Anyang Ngong.
ODM General Secretary Joseph Nyaga said the delay threatened to cause instability and unrest right across the country.
Police Commissioner Hussein Ali has urged poll losers to respect the outcome.Police Commissioner Hussein Ali has urged poll losers to respect the outcome.
High turnout
A spokesman for the ECK told the BBC that turnout had perhaps been more than 70%, from an electorate of 14m.A spokesman for the ECK told the BBC that turnout had perhaps been more than 70%, from an electorate of 14m.
Early results show that a majority of MPs have lost their seats.Early results show that a majority of MPs have lost their seats.
Kibaki: Dream or nightmare?Odinga: King-maker
Kenyan parliamentarians had gained notoriety in the past five years for arbitrarily increasing their salaries and allowances while a majority of Kenyans continue to grapple with meagre wages and a high cost of living, says the BBC's Josphat Makori in Nairobi.Kenyan parliamentarians had gained notoriety in the past five years for arbitrarily increasing their salaries and allowances while a majority of Kenyans continue to grapple with meagre wages and a high cost of living, says the BBC's Josphat Makori in Nairobi.
At least 16 cabinet ministers from Mr Kibaki's PNU also fell in the parliamentary elections. Vice-President Moody Awori was one of the 16 ministers who lost their seats.
Among them was Vice-President Moody Awori, who lost his seat to arch-rival Dr Paul Otuoma of the Orange Democratic Movement. He was beaten by arch-rival Dr Paul Otuoma of the ODM.
Also significant is the fall of three sons of retired president Daniel Arap Moi in three different constituencies in the Rift Valley province.Also significant is the fall of three sons of retired president Daniel Arap Moi in three different constituencies in the Rift Valley province.
Mr Moi has helped fund Mr Kibaki's campaign.Mr Moi has helped fund Mr Kibaki's campaign.
Fraud accusationFraud accusation
Mr Odinga, who fell out with Mr Kibaki shortly after helping him to win the presidency in 2002, alleged fraud before the polls opened.Mr Odinga, who fell out with Mr Kibaki shortly after helping him to win the presidency in 2002, alleged fraud before the polls opened.
Mr Odinga was at first not allowed to vote on the grounds that his name was not on the voters' roll, though he did cast his ballot later in the day.Mr Odinga was at first not allowed to vote on the grounds that his name was not on the voters' roll, though he did cast his ballot later in the day.
HAVE YOUR SAY Peace and democracy have carried the day. I do not regret the five hours it took me to vote Joe, Nairobi Send us your comments
The president has denied involvement in any election fraud.The president has denied involvement in any election fraud.
Correspondents say that in Kenya's previous elections, the outcome has been obvious before polling, or at least there has been a strong favourite.Correspondents say that in Kenya's previous elections, the outcome has been obvious before polling, or at least there has been a strong favourite.
President Kibaki hopes his economic record will secure a second term.President Kibaki hopes his economic record will secure a second term.
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 were six other candidates in the presidential elections besides Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.There were six other candidates in the presidential elections besides Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.