Washington, DC — Journalists working for news organizations based outside Africa were up early at Kenya's polling stations on Thursday. allAfrica editor Brian Kennedy reviews their coverage on the web. [Free registration may be required to read some original copy.]
Dawn has broken in Kenya, and after months of campaigning, the moment of truth is finally here.
According to opinion polls, opposition leader Raila Odinga leads President Mwai Kibaki by about two percentage points. Only one poll has Kibaki leading, but the race is still extremely close, and it is impossible to predict the outcome.
The news agencies are out at the polling stations and have talked to early voters to capture their opinions on the candidates and issues. One voter in Rift Valley told AFP that he slept at the polling place.
"I slept here because I want to ensure that there is no rigging. We want to vote for change, for change," said Robert Kipkurui, a voter in Eldoret.
The Rift Valley figures to be a key region in the election. Despite being supported by former President Daniel arap Moi, who is from the region and dominates local politics, Kibaki trails Odinga slightly in most polls. The Rift Valley has been the scene of some of the worst political violence and rigging in Kenya's previous elections.
A voter in Kibaki's home area told Reuters that she is confident of his reelection. "Kibaki is a true leader, he will win," said businesswoman Wanjiku Muteru in Othaya constituency, a tea-and-coffee-growing area. "It is a shame there are loud-mouthed people spoiling his name. These selfish elements are only thinking with their stomachs."
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Voters from the Kikuyu ethnic group in Central Province will support Kibaki overwhelmingly - the question is whether the support will be enough.
A voter in Kisumu, on Lake Victoria, explained his support for Odinga. "It's now or never for Raila. Among the 42 tribes in Kenya, Raila has support in each and every one except the Kikuyus," he said.
A voter in Kibaki's home constituency told The Associated Press that she was putting her country ahead of her farm work for the day.
Among stories worth reading in the last couple of days is a piece by Jeffrey Gettleman in the New York Times about the complicated election rules in Kenya. He points to a possible constitutional crisis if the winner of the election does not meet all of the requirements.
Other pieces:
- The Washington Post weighs in on the gorilla in the room - ethnicity and the role it will play in today's polls.
- The Times, London, discusses what the election means to the growth of Kenyan democracy.
- AlJazeera covers the "tension" of the election.
