In the capital Nairobi, voters rose
early to stand in line, some of them chanting "peace"
Kenyans are voting in an election that observers
describe as the most important in the country's history.
It is the first time a vote has taken place under a new
constitution, designed to prevent a repeat of violence that followed the
2007 polls.More than 1,000 people died in widespread ethnic violence when supporters of rival candidates clashed.
Despite appeals for calm, at least four police officers died when they were attacked near Mombasa on Monday.
At least six other people - including several attackers - are also reported to have died in the assault in the early hours in Changamwe, half an hour's drive from the centre of Mombasa.
Presidential prize
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They began queuing under the stars more than an hour before
the polling station opened.
One elderly woman sat in a plastic chair and the rest formed a neat line snaking out into the darkness.
Most people were wearing coats or jumpers to ward off the morning chill.
It's best to be early, one man said. An illustrated poster on the wall of the polling station, which in normal life is a primary school, explains the voting process.
After the polling station opened, the line of voters extended half way across the school's football pitch.
At the scene
One elderly woman sat in a plastic chair and the rest formed a neat line snaking out into the darkness.
Most people were wearing coats or jumpers to ward off the morning chill.
It's best to be early, one man said. An illustrated poster on the wall of the polling station, which in normal life is a primary school, explains the voting process.
After the polling station opened, the line of voters extended half way across the school's football pitch.
Reports from around the country
suggested long lines of voters were forming before polling stations
opened.
Some technical difficulties were reported with newly
instituted biometric voting kits - designed to counter claims of
vote-rigging and long delays in announcing poll results that were partly
blamed for the violence last time. Waiting in line outside polling stations in Nairobi hours before polls opened, the atmosphere was calm and people chanted "peace", reports the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in the capital.
Kenyans will choose a president, members of parliament and senators, county governors and members of 47 county assemblies.
However, our correspondent says all eyes are on the presidency.
Eight candidates are standing but it is essentially a two-horse race pitting Prime Minister Raila Odinga against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, he says.
Some observers say they are particularly concerned about violence erupting should neither of the two frontrunners poll more than 50% - in which case the vote will go to a run-off, probably on 11 April.
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It says "near total impunity" of the perpetrators of violence has left them free to rape and kill again.
The upcoming trial of presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu, and his running mate Willam Ruto, a Kalenjin, has overshadowed all other issues and highlighted ethnic affiliations.
Western wariness about the possible election of two ICC indictees has also exacerbated tensions at home, with former rivals Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto presenting themselves as victims of a Western conspiracy, and portraying the other frontrunner Raila Odinga as a stooge of the West.
Police warn criminals are planning to disrupt voting in some locations. Intelligence also suggests Somali militants threaten to launch attacks.
Sources of tension
The underlying sources of tension in the 2007-8 election remain, and in some parts have escalated, with the risk of violence "perilously high", warns Human Rights Watch.It says "near total impunity" of the perpetrators of violence has left them free to rape and kill again.
The upcoming trial of presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu, and his running mate Willam Ruto, a Kalenjin, has overshadowed all other issues and highlighted ethnic affiliations.
Western wariness about the possible election of two ICC indictees has also exacerbated tensions at home, with former rivals Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto presenting themselves as victims of a Western conspiracy, and portraying the other frontrunner Raila Odinga as a stooge of the West.
Police warn criminals are planning to disrupt voting in some locations. Intelligence also suggests Somali militants threaten to launch attacks.
Mr Kenyatta, son of Kenya's
founding father Jomo Kenyatta, is due to stand trial at the
International Criminal Court for his alleged role in orchestrating the
violence five years ago.
Mr Kenyatta's running mate, William Ruto, has also been
indicted by the court. Both men deny any wrongdoing.The post-election violence of 2007-8 broke out after Mr Odinga claimed he had been cheated of victory by supporters of President Kibaki.
Supporters of the rival candidates, from different ethnic groups, took up arms against each other.
Mr Odinga later joined a government of national unity under a peace deal.
'Keep the peace' In the run-up to Monday's vote, President Mwai Kibaki - who is not seeking re-election - urged Kenyans to vote peacefully and for the losers to accept defeat.
"Cast your vote and keep the peace," he said in a televised address to the nation on Friday.
"Let us send a clear message to the world that our democracy has come of age. A peaceful vote is a vote for a secure, prosperous and stable Kenya."
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Election in numbers
- 14 million registered voters
- Eight presidential candidates
- 99,000 police officers being deployed
- First election under new constitution
- Winning presidential candidates need 50% of vote + 25% in half of 47 counties
- Voters will get ballot papers for 6 different elections
- 100,000 people still living in camps after violence followed 2007 poll
- Uhuru Kenyatta among the favourites despite facing trial at the ICC, where he is accused of crimes against humanity over last election
Candidates have also promised to
respect the result and urged their supporters to refrain from violence.
Clerics across Kenya also gave sermons dedicated to peace on
Sunday.The police, however, have warned of conspiracies to cause chaos - in Nairobi and elsewhere - and have made it clear that violence will not be tolerated.
Security is being stepped up with some 99,000 police officers being deployed around the country, at polling stations and vote-counting centres.
The polling stations are open from 06:00 to 17:00 local time (03:00-14:00 GMT).
Presidential candidates must secure support from across the country to be declared the winner, so they cannot just rely on support from their ethnic groups, as has been the case in previous elections.
Official results will be announced by 11 March by the electoral commission.
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