Handcuffed at Kenya election counting center after presidential poll

Kenya’s peaceful presidential election saw a brief interruption as riot police responded to scuffles at the national tally center amid tensions over close results. .

A representative for longtime opposition leader and candidate Raila Odinga announced from the podium that the tally center was “the scene of a crime” before calm was restored.

The agent, Saitabao Ole Kanchory, offered no evidence in the latest example of unverified claims both top campaigns have made as Kenya awaits official results.

The electoral commission has seven days from Tuesday’s election to announce the results.

President Wafula Chebukati on Saturday again said the process was too slow and the committee asked those who were not required to be monitored at the center to leave.

Police remained at the center on Sunday morning.

Local human rights groups and professional associations said in a joint statement Sunday calling for restraint on candidates and their supporters.

The race remains close between Mr Odinga and vice president William Ruto as the electoral commission physically verifies more than 46,000 electronically transmitted results from around the country.

Voter turnout fell sharply in this election, to 65%, as some Kenyans expressed fatigue at seeing long-familiar political leaders on the ballot and frustration with the Economic problems include widespread corruption and rising prices.

Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta crossed the ethnic lines that have long marked politics by backing Mr. Odinga.

The president failed his deputy, Mr. Ruto years ago.

Past elections have been marked by political violence, but civil society observers, police, religious leaders and others say the election was peaceful.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a phone call with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday “encouraged continued peace and patience as the counting of votes from Kenya’s August 9 election proceeds,” the statement said. Ned Price member said.

In western Kenya, residents said they were tired of waiting for the results, but stressed that they too had escaped the turbulence of the past.

“We are not ready for any violence here,” said Ezekiel Kibet, 40, who said he would accept the outcome if the process was transparent.

“We’re thinking about how our kids will go back to school.”

Daniel Arap Chepkwony, 63, added: “Let whoever wins rule over us.

“Many people think we’ll show up here with our weapons, but we won’t.”