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Kenyan election too close to call Kenyan count halted amid unrest
(30 minutes later)
Kenya's election is on a knife edge, latest official figures show, as violence and looting broke out across the country amid delays in the results. Kenya's knife-edge election result has been delayed amid chaotic scenes at the offices of the electoral commission.
The lead of opposition presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, 62, over the incumbent, Mwai Kibaki, 76, has narrowed to less than 40,000 votes. There were scuffles at the counting centre in Nairobi as party rivals demanded recounts of Thursday's vote, amid claims of rigging.
The candidates' supporters have clashed sporadically across the country. Officials suspended the count until Sunday. The delays have already sparked violence and looting across Kenya.
The election has seen a clear rejection of Mr Kibaki's government, with about 20 ministers losing their seats. The lead of opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, 62, over President Mwai Kibaki, 76, has dwindled to under 40,000 votes.
With almost 90% of votes tallied in 180 out of a total 210 constituencies, the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) gave Mr Odinga 3.88m votes to Mr Kibaki's 3.84m, according to Reuters news agency. While results so far have the candidates neck-and-neck, the election has seen a clear rejection of Mr Kibaki's government, with about 20 ministers losing their seats.
Count chaos With almost 90% of votes tallied in 180 out of a total 210 constituencies, the Electoral Commission gave Mr Odinga 3.88m votes to Mr Kibaki's 3.84m.
Roadblocks and bonfires
Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement has held the lead since vote counting began after Thursday's poll but has since seen his advantage evaporate.Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement has held the lead since vote counting began after Thursday's poll but has since seen his advantage evaporate.
The count in the ECK headquarters at a Nairobi conference centre has been delayed amid chaotic scenes. We are Kenyans, not beasts Samuel KivuituElection chair class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7079210.stm">Kibaki: Dream or nightmare? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7068055.stm">Odinga: King-maker class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3902&edition=1">Send us your comments
When election chair Samuel Kivuitu read out results which largely cancelled out much of Mr Odinga's lead on Saturday afternoon, a shouting match erupted between rival party agents and demands were made for a recount. There were chaotic scenes at the count in Nairobi on Saturday afternoon, when election chair Samuel Kivuitu announced results that largely cancelled out much of Mr Odinga's lead.
"Be seated. I'm tired," pleaded Mr Kivuitu. As rival party agents clashed, paramilitary police had to rush in and restore order.
They want to steal votes. They are counting votes from regions favouring Kibaki Peter OduorProtester class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7079210.stm">Kibaki: Dream or nightmare? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7068055.stm">Odinga: King-maker class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3902&edition=1">Send us your comments Mr Kivuitu told politicians: "Nobody can push me, not even you!" He added: "We are Kenyans, not beasts."
Mr Kibaki's Party of National Unity said it would wait for the official results, and urged officials to speed up the count. He came to power with a landslide victory in 2002.Mr Kibaki's Party of National Unity said it would wait for the official results, and urged officials to speed up the count. He came to power with a landslide victory in 2002.
Mr Odinga's camp has raised allegations that Mr Kibaki's side may be seeking to rig the results and rioting has broken out in some opposition strongholds.Mr Odinga's camp has raised allegations that Mr Kibaki's side may be seeking to rig the results and rioting has broken out in some opposition strongholds.
In Kisumu, an opposition stronghold, police fired tear gas and gunshots in the air to disperse people.In Kisumu, an opposition stronghold, police fired tear gas and gunshots in the air to disperse people.
Angry demonstrators have lit bonfires, set up roadblocks and even burned down homes.Angry demonstrators have lit bonfires, set up roadblocks and even burned down homes.
Several people have died in the violence, including a man shot dead in a row at a polling station in western Nyanza province, police said.Several people have died in the violence, including a man shot dead in a row at a polling station in western Nyanza province, police said.
"There are riots all over the country, except a few areas," a senior police official told AFP.
Mr Odinga's lead over Mr Kibaki has narrowedMr Odinga's lead over Mr Kibaki has narrowed
Anti-riot police and youths have fought running battles, the BBC's Noel Mwakugu reports from Kisumu.
There were also reports of trouble in the opposition areas of Bungoma, Busia, Eldoret, Kericho and Kakamega.There were also reports of trouble in the opposition areas of Bungoma, Busia, Eldoret, Kericho and Kakamega.
"They want to steal votes. They are counting votes from regions favouring Kibaki and then they want to declare him the winner. We do not want violence, we want our rights," said one protester, Peter Oduor."They want to steal votes. They are counting votes from regions favouring Kibaki and then they want to declare him the winner. We do not want violence, we want our rights," said one protester, Peter Oduor.
Much of the violence was enacted along ethnic lines, with Luo supporters of Mr Odinga clashing with members of Mr Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe.Much of the violence was enacted along ethnic lines, with Luo supporters of Mr Odinga clashing with members of Mr Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe.
Standing in front of his burned-out home in Kibera, Hamisi Noor, 22, a Kikuyu, told AP news agency a Luo crowd had torched their house and slashed his father across the face with a machete.Standing in front of his burned-out home in Kibera, Hamisi Noor, 22, a Kikuyu, told AP news agency a Luo crowd had torched their house and slashed his father across the face with a machete.
MPs ejectedMPs ejected
An Electoral Commission spokesman told the BBC that turnout had perhaps been more than 70%, from an electorate of 14m.An Electoral Commission spokesman told the BBC that turnout had perhaps been more than 70%, from an electorate of 14m.
Results so far show a majority of MPs have lost their seats.Results so far show a majority of MPs have lost their seats.
Kenyan parliamentarians gained notoriety in the past five years for arbitrarily increasing their salaries and allowances, while a majority of Kenyans continued to grapple with meagre wages and a high cost of living.Kenyan parliamentarians gained notoriety in the past five years for arbitrarily increasing their salaries and allowances, while a majority of Kenyans continued to grapple with meagre wages and a high cost of living.
Vice-President Moody Awori was one of about 20 ministers who lost their seats.Vice-President Moody Awori was one of about 20 ministers who lost their seats.
The vote also saw three sons of retired president Daniel Arap Moi lose their seats in three different constituencies in the Rift Valley province.The vote also saw three sons of retired president Daniel Arap Moi lose their seats in three different constituencies in the Rift Valley province.
Mr Moi has helped fund Mr Kibaki's campaign. If he loses, Mr Kibaki will be Kenya's first sitting president ousted at the ballot box.Mr Moi has helped fund Mr Kibaki's campaign. If he loses, Mr Kibaki will be Kenya's first sitting president ousted at the ballot box.