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Kenya Awaits Results of Close Presidential Race


Kenyan general elections, in Eldoret
Kenyan general elections, in Eldoret

Kenyans were waiting Wednesday for the results of a close presidential election in which the turnout was lower than usual.

Preparations were being made at the Bomas of Kenya centre in Nairobi for the announcement of the outcome of polling held the previous day.

Tuesday's vote was likely the final try by longtime opposition leader Raila Odinga, who on his fifth attempt was backed by former rival and outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The other top contender is Deputy President William Ruto, who fell out with the president earlier in their decade in power.

Voters have expressed little hope of real change and frustration with rising prices and widespread corruption in East Africa's economic hub.

Official election results must be announced within a week of the vote, but there's some anticipation a winner might be known Wednesday.

The electoral commission still must verify results forms coming from across the country.

NTV senior reporter Leila Mohamed explained Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission must still verify results forms coming from across the country.

The commission has said it expected turnout to be

above 60%, far lower than the 80% in the previous election in 2017. More than 22 million people were registered to vote.

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