Allegations of Fraud Precede Kenyan Vote

Kenyans were voting today in landmark elections that signal the end of almost a quarter-century of rule by President Daniel Arap Moi, with pundits predicting an unprecedented opposition victory.

Candidates crisscrossed Kenya on Thursday in a final bid for support. The polls were to remain open for 12 hours today, but that period could be extended in case transportation is hampered by bad weather -- a distinct possibility after heavy rain in central Kenya. .

Despite Christmas Day appeals by clergy for peaceful voting, there was some preelection violence in the capital, Nairobi, and allegations of fraud surfaced.

The opposition National Rainbow Coalition, whose leader, Mwai Kibaki, is widely favored to win the presidency, said three supporters had been killed by police firing on a bus in Nairobi’s opposition bastion of Westlands on Wednesday night. Police confirmed two deaths but disputed the circumstances.

The coalition also stepped up accusations that Moi’s camp planned to usher in his preferred successor, Uhuru Kenyatta, by unfair means.

Electoral Commission spokesman Mani Lemayian said the panel was investigating reports that a plane carrying ballots pre-marked in favor of Internal Security Minister Julius Sunkuli had been found in the parliamentary constituency he is defending for Moi’s Kenya African National Union, or KANU.

Sunkuli could not be reached immediately for comment, and KANU Director of Elections William Ruto issued a blanket denial of any ballot fraud or wrongdoing by his party.

Most attention focuses on the powerful executive presidency, held by KANU since independence from Britain in 1963 and run with an iron fist by Moi since 1978. Parliament is relatively toothless by comparison.

Kibaki, at 71 only seven years younger than Moi, hopes to capitalize on a hunger for change after years of economic stagnation and corruption under KANU.

“I know from the reports we are getting that we are together, and I believe we will win,” Kibaki told supporters as he left his Nairobi home in a convoy of about 50 cars headed for his constituency of Othaya in Central province.

Kibaki served Moi as vice president and senior Cabinet minister for more than a decade. Moi is prevented by law from running again.

“I step down happy, having completed my two terms of the multiparty democracy,” Moi said as he cast his ballot near his birthplace in the Baringo area of the Rift Valley.

“I want to wish well the one who I am going to hand over to. And I hope the people will respect the verdict and the voice of the people.”

Moi will officially step down at the inauguration of his successor, expected in the first few days of January.