Kenyans flocks to vote for next president in high stakes elections

“Whether the queues at the polling stations are long or short, the technology works or not, the worldwide observers approve or disapprove, really for investors the only part of the election that matters is how the loser reacts to the declared results”, said Hasnain Malik, global head of equities research at Exotix Capital.

Electronic identity devices were used at the polling stations to identify voters to prevent possible fraud.

The violence 10 years ago ignited after former President Mwai Kibaki was declared the victor, and Odinga rejected the polls as rigged.

On Monday he called on his followers to rally in Nairobi’s central park to await the results.

Voting for the national and local assemblies are also taking place. Some centres opened late due to poor weather conditions, the delayed arrival of voting materials and problems with the Kenya Integrated Elections Management Systems (KIEMS), which verify voters’ biometric information. “Many citizens fear in such a scenario, losers may not accept the results and may turn to their already charged communities for support”. “Give God a chance to impart to him the insight of Solomon”, she articulated, gripping a rosary in one hand and her voter card wrapped in a dirty cloth in the other.

Kenyatta and Odinga originate from opposing tribes. All of Kenya’s presidents have hailed from either the majority Kikuyu or the smaller Kalenjin.

However, tight contest is expected between the incumbent and Mr. Odinga. Al-Shabab militants have vowed they will disrupt Kenya’s elections Tuesday.

Memories of the violence that followed those elections remain fresh.

“The voting and tech side have so far been a success”, said Brian Manasseh, 23, an opposition party official assigned, along with other observers, to make sure there is no meddling. She said numerous vehicles were passenger buses filled with people going to their home areas to vote.

More than 150,000 members of the security forces were deployed for polling day.

And the police have been boasting of how they have brought in fleets of water cannon, armoured vehicles and tear gas to deal with any violence.

One of the presidential candidates was unable to get to his polling station because a bridge had washed away in northern Turkana county, according to one newspaper report.

More than 1,100 Kenyans died and 600,000 were displaced. This East Africa economic hub is known known for its relative, long-term stability as well as vying ethnic allegiances that shadow its democracy.

Kenyatta, the 55-year-old son of Kenya’s founding president, has called for his fellow Kenyans to respect the election results amid concerns.

Uhuru Kenyatta, the Kenyan president, appeared to be on course for re-election on Tuesday night, with early results indicating that his ethnic alliance would tighten its half-century grip on power. But taking that long is going to drive people insane, ‘ he warned. “The only way [Kenyatta’s party] can win this election is by rigging”.

The organizers will split voters to ensure that each polling center will receive 700 voters at most, Chebukati said.