Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Kenyan Prez Kibaki Declared Victor, Sworn In

News sparks riots as late vote count upsets challenger's lead

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 30, 2007 11:38 AM CST

(Newser) – Kenya today declared President Mwai Kibaki the winner of Thursday's election, igniting riots in Nairobi as protesters accused the Kibaki government of election fraud and demanded a recount, reports the BBC. At least 10 people have been killed. Kibaki was sworn into a second 5-year term immediately after the announcement that he beat opposition leader Raila Odinga by just 230,000 votes.

Odinga had been leading Kibaki since vote counting began, but Kibaki surpassed his rival as later votes were added. In his victory speech, Kibaki asserted the elections were "free and fair" and called upon all the political parties to "accept the verdict of the people." He vowed to establish a "clean hands government."

A Kenyan woman holds a Bible as she prays for peace in front of riot police, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007 during riots in the Mathare slum in Nairobi. Kenya's opposition candidate called on President Mwai Kibaki to concede defeat Sunday, accusing him of fraud after a chaotic vote count sparked...
A Kenyan woman holds a Bible as she prays for peace in front of riot police, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007 during riots in the Mathare slum in Nairobi. Kenya's opposition candidate called on President Mwai Kibaki...   (Associated Press)
In this image released by the Kenyan Presidential Press Service, newly elected President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki holds the Bible aloft as he is sworn in as president at State House in Nairobi, Kenya Sunday Dec. 31, 2007. Kibaki took the oath of office Sunday minutes after being declared the...
In this image released by the Kenyan Presidential Press Service, newly elected President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki holds the Bible aloft as he is sworn in as president at State House in Nairobi, Kenya Sunday...   (Associated Press)
General Service Unit Paramilitary guard the Kenyatta International Conference Centre after Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner in the Presidential Elections, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007.  President Mwai Kibaki was re-elected in the closest presidential election in the country's history, the elections chief said Sunday.  Elections chief Samuel Kivuitu, who read...
General Service Unit Paramilitary guard the Kenyatta International Conference Centre after Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner in the Presidential Elections, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. President Mwai Kibaki...   (Associated Press)
Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki is seen in Nairobi in this Dec. 12, 2007 file photo. Kibaki was re-elected in the closest presidential election in the country's history, the elections chief said Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. The contest was marked by allegations of rigging on both sides. (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim, File)
Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki is seen in Nairobi in this Dec. 12, 2007 file photo. Kibaki was re-elected in the closest presidential election in the country's history, the elections chief said Sunday,...   (Associated Press)
Riot police look on as Orange Democratic Movement supporters remove a roadblock , Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007 during riots in the Mathare slum in Nairobi. Kenya's opposition candidate called on President Mwai Kibaki to concede defeat Sunday, accusing him of fraud after a chaotic vote count sparked widespread violence and fears...
Riot police look on as Orange Democratic Movement supporters remove a roadblock , Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007 during riots in the Mathare slum in Nairobi. Kenya's opposition candidate called on President Mwai...   (Associated Press)
Kenya's opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, speaking to the media in Nairobi, Kenya, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. Raila called on President Mwai Kibaki to concede defeat Sunday, accusing him of fraud after a chaotic vote count sparked widespread violence and fears of rigging.  This government has lost all legitimacy and cannot...
Kenya's opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, speaking to the media in Nairobi, Kenya, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. Raila called on President Mwai Kibaki to concede defeat Sunday, accusing him of fraud after...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Gambians Get Out Their Voting Marbles

Ethiopia: 4.5M Need Food Aid

West African Leaders Push Ivory Coast's Gbagbo to Leave

Famed Man-Eating Lions Not That Hungry: Scientists

Kenya Feels Betrayed by 'Brother Barack'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne