Kenya, East Africa's economic powerhouse, elects its president

Kenyans began flocking to polling stations Tuesday to elect a new president, as well as members of parliament and local officials in high-stakes elections for East Africa's economic powerhouse, which has been hit by soaring living costs.

 

The 22.1 million voters are expected to cast their ballots to determine the political future of the country, which is considered an island of democracy in a volatile region, but which was also the scene of serious violence 15 years ago. From the financial center to the slums of Nairobi, as well as in several regions of the country, long queues formed in the dark in front of the polling stations, which opened at 6 a.m.local time. The duel between the two main presidential candidates, who are both well-known figures in the political landscape, is expected to be close. Raila Odinga, 77, a veteran opposition politician who is now supported by the government, faces William Ruto, 55, the vice-president who is the challenger.

 

If neither of the two opponents, who know each other well from past alliances, wins more than 50 per cent of the vote on Tuesday, Kenya will have its first-ever presidential run-off. Whatever the outcome, the new president will make history by not belonging to the kikuyu community, the country's largest, which has controlled the top of the state for the past 20 years and from which the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta - who was constitutionally barred from standing for re-election after two terms - emerged. On Tuesday, voters will have to choose between a Luo, Mr. Odinga, and a Kalenjin, Mr. Ruto, two other important communities in the country. In this country historically marked by tribal voting, some experts believe that this factor could fade this year in the face of economic issues, as the soaring cost of living dominates people's minds.