Nairobi — Vote tallying in Starehe constituency, Nairobi, was thrown into disarray when riot police lobbed teargas canisters in the counting hall.

The tallied results had shown a neck-to-neck race between Sports minister Mr Maina Kamanda and ODM candidate, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru.

Several ballot boxes were broken and ballot papers thrown all over the Kenya Polytechnic counting hall as poll officials, observers, journalists and party agents scampered for safety.

In the ensuing chaos, several people, including a police officer, were injured and many lost their personal effects.

Wanjiru was caught up in the chaos but her bodyguards shielded her from harm.

Tallying for 17 out of the 22 polling stations had been completed, and only five were remaining when the chaos erupted.

Trouble began on Friday afternoon when Wanjiru's supporters claimed a plan to rig the elections was afoot.

The bishop then wrote a petition that was read by a supporter, calling for nullification of the results.

But the returning officer, a Mugasia, asked the bishop to follow the right channels of registering her protest.

Tension mounted, and rival groups started shouting at each other. Mugasia then ordered supporters of the candidates who had jammed the hall to be kicked out by security officers.

Moments later, riot police stormed in and lobbed teargas canisters, dispersing everyone including the ECK officials and Wanjiru.

After the chaos, ECK district co-ordinator, Ms Rita Mwera, ordered the broken boxes be reconstructed and tallying to continue.

Police maintained a tight cordon around the hall as pro-ODM youths spoilt for a fight from a distance.