ELECTIONS IN KENYA
Polls open in Kenya in fiercely contested election race
Speaking of politics a few top stories from Africa
In Kenya, the D-Day is here. Hundreds lined up to vote in a high-stakes election Tuesday. 22.1 million registered voters should elect their president, senators, governors, lawmakers, woman representatives and some 1,500 county officials. Well before 3 am GMT, the official opening hour for polls, citizens queued to participate in the general elections taking place against a backdrop of soaring prices for food and fuel, a drought that has left millions hungry, and deep disenchantment with the political elite, especially among the youth.
It is accompanied by his wife Rachel Ruto; that the Deputy President Wiliam Ruto cast his ballot in primary school in Uasin Gishu, Western Kenya. The 55-year-old is considered one of the main contenders of the presidential race. Another top candidate is Raila Odinga, who has vied for the presidency for a quarter-century. Lawyers David Mwaure and George Wajackoyah are also running.:
Tight security
In recent days, opinion polls suggested Raila narrowoly edge past Ruto however, there’s everything left to play for. If neither of the top candidate wins more than 50 percent, Kenya would be have to hold a run-off for the first time in its history. Official results must be announced within a week of the election, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is under pressure to ensure an untroubled vote. Kenyans have until 2 pm GMT to cast their ballot. Both Odinga and Ruto have called for a peaceful vote, but fears remain that if the losing candidate challenges the outcome -- as widely expected -- the discord could erupt into street fighting. Security is tight, with more than 150,000 officers being deployed.
Mixed reactions over Qatar peace talk deal
The aftermath of the deal signed in Qatar to launch peace talks in Ndjamena has generated mixed reactions between Chadians back home. While some Chadians welcome the new agreement between the country's military government and more than 40 opposition groups, others believe the problem is far from being resolved, after the main rebel group refused to take part. "Whatever the outcome the negotiators in Doha reached, this long-awaited peace agreement is to be welcomed. We have been waiting for this agreement for five months to allow the politico-military (leadership, ed) to come and participate in the talks here in N'Djamena." said Djekonbe François, USPR party leader.
"Nine or ten of the politico-armed members did not sign the paper. I think there is still a +problem. So perhaps it would have been necessary to ensure that there was the right atmosphere that would have allowed everyone to really take part" said Mbaihodoum Pierro, a resident. Nine rebel groups had rejected the deal, saying the negotiators had not listened to its demands, including for the release of prisoners. The rejection by FACT and at least eight other rebel factions cast a pall over celebrations of the agreement which was hammered out after months of talks in Qatar's capital.
According to Max Kemkoye, UDP party leader; " this agreement we now have with those who have signed, this agreement still poses a problem with its application inland, because the important civil society organizations and the most important political actors inland do not adhere to the process." Chad has endured repeated uprisings and unrest since independence in 1960. The dialogue aims to agree on the rules for a presidential election that Deby has promised by October. We have this video report courtesy of Africa news.
