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/7163823.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Kenyan count halted amid unrest Kenyan count halted amid unrest
(about 1 hour later)
Kenya's knife-edge election result has been delayed amid chaotic scenes at the offices of the electoral commission.Kenya's knife-edge election result has been delayed amid chaotic scenes at the offices of the electoral commission.
There were scuffles at the counting centre in Nairobi as party rivals demanded recounts of Thursday's vote, amid claims of rigging.There were scuffles at the counting centre in Nairobi as party rivals demanded recounts of Thursday's vote, amid claims of rigging.
Officials suspended the count until Sunday. The delays have already sparked violence and looting across Kenya.Officials suspended the count until Sunday. The delays have already sparked violence and looting across Kenya.
The lead of opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, 62, over President Mwai Kibaki, 76, has dwindled to under 40,000 votes.The lead of opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, 62, over President Mwai Kibaki, 76, has dwindled to under 40,000 votes.
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. While the candidates are neck-and-neck, the election has seen a clear rejection of Mr Kibaki's government, with about 20 ministers losing their seats.
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.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 bonfiresRoadblocks 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 the poll but has since seen his advantage evaporate.
We are Kenyans, not beasts Samuel KivuituElection chair 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 We are Kenyans, not beasts Samuel KivuituElection chair Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7164350.stm">In pictures: Vote unrest Chaotic scenes erupted 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.
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.
As rival party agents clashed, paramilitary police had to rush in and restore order.As rival party agents clashed, paramilitary police had to rush in and restore order.
Mr Kivuitu told politicians: "Nobody can push me, not even you!" He added: "We are Kenyans, not beasts."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. The BBC's Karen Allen in Nairobi says Mr Kivuitu has outlined a number of electoral irregularities that have dogged the process.
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. These include returning officers vanishing due to intimidation and a case in one constituency of turnout being higher than the number of registered voters.
In Kisumu, an opposition stronghold, police fired tear gas and gunshots in the air to disperse people. Mr Kibaki's Party of National Unity said it would wait for the official results, and urged officials to speed up the count.
Angry demonstrators have lit bonfires, set up roadblocks and even burned down homes. class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7079210.stm">Kibaki: Dream or nightmare? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7068055.stm">Odinga: King-maker
Both sides have raised allegations of vote rigging and rioting has broken out in some opposition strongholds.
There were also reports of trouble in Kisumu, Bungoma, Busia, Eldoret, Kericho and Kakamega.
Police have fired tear gas and gunshots into the air to disperse angry demonstrators who 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.
Mr Odinga's lead over Mr Kibaki has narrowed "They want to steal votes. They are counting votes from regions favouring Kibaki and then they want to declare him the winner," said one protester, Peter Oduor.
There were also reports of trouble in the opposition areas of Bungoma, Busia, Eldoret, Kericho and Kakamega. Ethnic violence
"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.
MPs 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, who came to power with a landslide victory in 2002, will be Kenya's first sitting president ousted at the ballot box.