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December 2, 2008 12:13:05 PM CST

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Kenya's Prez Appears Defeated

Posted Dec 28, 07 9:57 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – A populist challenger appears to be winning Kenya's presidential election, the New York Times reports. Raila Odinga, a businessman who promises to spread Kenya's growing wealth more equitably, has a 57%-40% lead over incumbent Mwai Kibaki in early results, while many in Kibaki's inner circle, including the vice president and 14 ministers, are losing their seats in parliament, Nairobi's Standard newspaper reports.

Odinga has blasted officials for delaying the final tally and warned that voter anxiety could spark violence. Kibaki is credited with improving Kenya's economy but unpopular for  favoring his own tribe. Odinga has pledged to end the tribal bias that has dogged Kenyan politics since independence in 1963, the Times reports. Also facing defeat today is Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace laureate and parliament member.

Sources: New York Times, Reuters, The Standard

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Kenyan line up to casts their vote at a polling station in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007. Kenyans headed to the polls Thursday in a presidential election that is shaping up to be the closest...   (Associated Press)
Kenyans stand in line at Kongoni Primary School, Nairobi, to cast their vote in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007. President Mwai Kibaki was trying to fend off a fiery opposition leader in the...   (Associated Press)
Mwai Kibaki, President of Kenya shakes hands with Kenyans after he cast his vote as he seeks his reelection in Nyeri, Othaya, Kenya, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 in a poll in which 14.2 million people are...   (Associated Press)
A Kenyan woman, Halena Wangui, who claims she is over 100 years old casts her vote in Nyeri, Othaya, Kenya, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 in a poll in which 14.2 million people are registered to vote. Mwai...   (Associated Press)
European Commission Observers keep a watch as Kenyans cast their votes in Nyeri, Othaya, Kenya, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 in a poll in which 14.2 million people are registered to vote. Mwai Kibaki, Raila...   (Associated Press)
Kenyans in voting booths mark their votes in Nyeri, Othaya. Kenya, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 in a poll in which 14.2 million people are registered to vote. Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka...   (Associated Press)
A Kenyan casts her vote at a polling station in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007. Kenyans headed to the polls Thursday in a presidential election that is shaping up to be the closest in this...   (Associated Press)
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Africa • election • Kenya • Mwai Kibaki • Raila Odinga • Nobel Peace Prize


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