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Kenya Race Tightens; Riots Delay Count
Prez candidates now neck and neck; results due tomorrow
By Kevin Spak
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Posted Dec 29, 07 5:44 PM CST
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(Newser)
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Police had to restore order today at Kenya’s election commission as the presidential race tightened yet again and officials halted the count until tomorrow. Politicians on both sides scuffled and shouted accusations of election fraud as the once-hefty lead of opposition candidate Raila Odinga dropped to just 40,000 votes. Supporters on both sides are declaring victory—and rioting in the streets, the BBC reports.
Whether Odinga eventually wins or not, the election has been a rejection of President Mwai Kibaki’s government. The majority of his party is out of a job, including his vice president. Voting has been plagued with irregularities, however. One region cast more votes than it has registered voters. Protesters have reacted by looting stores and burning homes. Several people have been killed in the unrest, police say.