Criminal court accused leading Kenya election

Millions of Kenyans have poured into polling stations to cast their ballots in a crucial, anxiously awaited presidential election in which a candidate charged with crimes against humanity appeared a real chance to emerge the winner.

Early results show deputy premier Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been accused of financing death squads, has taken the lead. He is reportedly ahead of Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the first elections since a disputed presidential run-off vote sparked ethnic clashes in December 2007, in which 1000 died. With nearly a third of the votes counted, Mr Kenyatta has received about 54 per cent and Mr Odinga about 41 per cent. Six other candidates trailed by a wide margin.

The United States and other Western allies have warned of ”consequences” if Mr Kenyatta wins, though it is unclear what kind of repercussions or sanctions this could bring. Voter turnout on Monday was tremendous, election officials said. Voters began queuing hours before dawn, with lines stretching for more than a kilometre in places. In the Kibera slum, a sprawling settlement of rusted shanties and footpaths littered with garbage, some people waited nine hours under a withering sun.

“We’re tired! We’re tired!” they yelled. But still they stayed in their places, with no food or drink, determined to vote. In 2007 the last election was marred by widespread evidence of vote rigging.