Nairobi - KENYANS started voting early Thursday in a presidential-run off poll marred by heightened tensions following pockets of election related violence in the East African country.
Opposition leader, Raila Odinga is boycotting the run-off poll citing lack of electoral reforms to guarantee free and fair voting.
The Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EIBC) has also had it its fair share of problems casting doubt on its credibility to conduct a free and fair election.
Some of its officials resigned under pressure over charges of deliberately tilting the August poll results in favour of President, Uhuru Kenyatta.
Security has however been beefed up, with truckloads of anti-riot police present especially at opposition strongholds following claims Odinga’s supporters were planning to attack polling stations.
On Wednesday, the United States urged calm amid fears of bloodshed similar to the 2007-2008 post-election violence.
“The United States urges all Kenyans to remain calm, reject violence, and uphold the principles of their Constitution in the election scheduled for tomorrow,” US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.
“We are deeply concerned about the continuing efforts of both parties to interfere with and undermine the independent operation of the electoral commission, the judiciary, and other essential institutions.”
Three of the Kenya’s previous four elections were marred by violence, including the 2007-2008 election when 1,100 people were killed and 650,000 displaced, and indications point to the same direction.
The presidential re-run poll follows the historic Supreme Court ruling that overturned Kenyatta’s victory citing several vote irregularities.
