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Kenya Elections Marred by Clashes, Tear Gas and a Boycott Kenya Elections Marred by Clashes, Tear Gas and a Boycott
(35 minutes later)
Kenyans cast ballots on Thursday in the second presidential election in nearly three months amid a boycott by the main opposition leader and clashes in some areas that turned deadly.Kenyans cast ballots on Thursday in the second presidential election in nearly three months amid a boycott by the main opposition leader and clashes in some areas that turned deadly.
Though the majority of the voting occurred peacefully, at least three people were killed, The Associated Press said, including a 17-year-old who died of gunshot wounds, according to the head nurse at a government hospital in the western city of Kisumu. The police also fired tear gas at rock-throwing protesters in the Nairobi neighborhood of Kibera. Though the majority of the voting occurred peacefully, at least three people were killed, The Associated Press said. The dead included a 17-year-old who died of gunshot wounds, Henry Omosa, the head nurse at a government hospital in the western city of Kisumu, told the news media. The police also fired tear gas at rock-throwing protesters in the Nairobi neighborhood of Kibera.
Amid confrontations between the police and rock-throwing protesters who wanted to stop the vote, the authorities postpone balloting until Saturday in four districts. Amid confrontations between the police and rock-throwing protesters who wanted to stop the vote, the authorities postponed balloting until Saturday in four districts.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to win the election, since his main challenger dropped out.President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to win the election, since his main challenger dropped out.
Mr. Kenyatta’s main challenger, Raila Odinga, had accused the president of fraud and dropped out of the race, saying that he believed the second election would be “worse than the previous one” because the electoral commission had not made changes to its operation or its staffing.Mr. Kenyatta’s main challenger, Raila Odinga, had accused the president of fraud and dropped out of the race, saying that he believed the second election would be “worse than the previous one” because the electoral commission had not made changes to its operation or its staffing.
But Mr. Odinga did not file the paperwork that would have formally removed him from the race, so his name appears on the ballot, according to election commissioners. But Mr. Odinga did not file the paperwork that would have formally removed him from the race, so his name appears on the ballot, election commissioners said.
The first election, on Aug. 8, was nullified by the Supreme Court, which cited irregularities. The political crisis deepened on Wednesday, when the court was unable to hear a case that could have delayed the election after only two of the seven judges showed up. Five are needed for a quorum, Chief Justice David Maraga said. The Supreme Court, citing irregularities, had nullified the first election, which took place on Aug. 8. The political crisis deepened on Wednesday, when the court was unable to hear a case that could have delayed the election after only two of the seven judges showed up. Five are needed for a quorum, Chief Justice David Maraga said.
The mood was tense in some parts of the country on Thursday. Mr. Odinga had urged his supporters to boycott the vote.The mood was tense in some parts of the country on Thursday. Mr. Odinga had urged his supporters to boycott the vote.
Protesters began gathering in Kisumu and Nairobi’s Uhuru Park since Wednesday to demonstrate against the ballot. On Twitter, the main opposition group, the National Super Alliance, warned, “The primary responsibility, if the worst occurs, lies squarely with Kenyatta.”Protesters began gathering in Kisumu and Nairobi’s Uhuru Park since Wednesday to demonstrate against the ballot. On Twitter, the main opposition group, the National Super Alliance, warned, “The primary responsibility, if the worst occurs, lies squarely with Kenyatta.”
In anticipation of demonstrations, the police said they would not allow the National Super Alliance to hold a rally at the capital’s Freedom Park ahead of its boycott.In anticipation of demonstrations, the police said they would not allow the National Super Alliance to hold a rally at the capital’s Freedom Park ahead of its boycott.
Turnout was drastically lower than during the previous election, raising questions about whether the winner will be accepted as legitimate.Turnout was drastically lower than during the previous election, raising questions about whether the winner will be accepted as legitimate.