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Kenya Opposition Claims Victory

Slow pace of results leads to looting, fires

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 29, 2007 8:56 AM CST
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(Newser) – The party of opposition leader Raila Odinga, a wealthy businessman with a populist platform, has declared victory in Kenya's hotly contested election, but the slow pace of the vote tally has led to rioting in the slums of Nairobi. After a largely peaceful campaign, machete-wielding gangs have looted and torched storefronts. "We do not want violence, we want our rights," said one Odinga supporter marching in the streets.

This is only the second truly democratic election in East Africa's richest nation after 30 years of one-party rule. Odinga has at least a four-point lead over President Mwai Kibabi, and more than a dozen of Kibabi's ministers have lost their seats as well, but the party is waiting for the official results before conceding. Said a spokesman: "Kangaroo results given by any Tom, Dick, or Harry deserve every contempt."

Kenyan riot police run bast burning barricades, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007 during riots in the Kibera slum in Nairobi. Kenya's opposition declared victory Saturday in the presidential election on the basis of partial results, but authorities cautioned that not all votes had been counted and appealed for patience. Tensions over...
Kenyan riot police run bast burning barricades, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007 during riots in the Kibera slum in Nairobi. Kenya's opposition declared victory Saturday in the presidential election on the basis...   (Associated Press)
A supporter of the Orange Democratic Party break down a kiosk after they set fire to it, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007 during riots in the Kibera slum in Nairobi. Kenya's opposition declared victory Saturday in the presidential election on the basis of partial results, but authorities cautioned that not all...
A supporter of the Orange Democratic Party break down a kiosk after they set fire to it, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007 during riots in the Kibera slum in Nairobi. Kenya's opposition declared victory Saturday...   (Associated Press)
Luo supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement of opposition leader Raila Odinga, with machetes rally in the Kibera slums on the outskirts of Nairobi, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Thousands of people waved machetes and shouted tribal epithets Saturday in one of Africa's largest slums as tensions flared over delays in...
Luo supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement of opposition leader Raila Odinga, with machetes rally in the Kibera slums on the outskirts of Nairobi, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Thousands of people waved...   (Associated Press)
A Kikuyu supporter of the Party of National Unity of Mwai Kibaki, tears at the billboard of opposition leader Raila Odinga on the outskirts of Nairobi, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Thousands of people waved machetes and shouted tribal epithets Saturday in one of Africa's largest slums as tensions flared over...
A Kikuyu supporter of the Party of National Unity of Mwai Kibaki, tears at the billboard of opposition leader Raila Odinga on the outskirts of Nairobi, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Thousands of people waved...   (Associated Press)
A Luo supporter of the Orange Democratic Movement of opposition leader Raila Odinga, is pursued by General Service Unit paramilitary in the Kibera slums on the outskirts of Nairobi Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Thousands of people waved machetes and shouted tribal epithets Saturday in one of Africa's largest slums as...
A Luo supporter of the Orange Democratic Movement of opposition leader Raila Odinga, is pursued by General Service Unit paramilitary in the Kibera slums on the outskirts of Nairobi Saturday, Dec. 29,...   (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 Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka are running for president, but they also have to win their...
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)
Kenyan line up to casts their vote 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 are running for president, but they also have to win their parliamentary seats as well....
Kenyan line up to casts their vote 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 are...   (Associated Press)
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