Kenyan television reports on the outcome of the presidential election suggest that Daniel arap Moi is certain to retain his office for a fifith term.

KTN television gave figures from 170 of the 210 constituencies which put President Moi ahead of his closest rival, Mwai Kibaki of the Democratic Party.

The results showed President Moi had polled more than 25% of the vote in six provinces.

Daniel arap Moi: set to continue his reign

The terms of the presidential election stipulate the first-round winner must get at least a quarter of the vote in five of Kenya's eight provinces.

The unofficial results put Mr Moi's share of the vote at 2,001,319 and Mr Kibaki's at 1,646,308.

If re-elected, it would be the fifth five-year term Mr Moi has served as Kenyan president.

Parliamentary vote neck-and-neck

Paul Haddow, head of international electoral observers, based in Nairobi, gives his assessment of the vote (1'47")

The parliamentary elections appear closer than the presidential contest, with a clear outcome unlikely before the announcement of the official results at the weekend.

After counting in 182 constituencies, Mr Moi's Kenya African National Union (Kanu) had gained 90 seats.

The largest share of the 92 combined opposition gains went to the Democratic Party, which had taken 34 seats by Friday morning.

Opposition says vote was "rigged"

Mr Kibaki and other presidential candidates have already vowed not to accept a Moi victory in what they called rigged elections.

The vote has attracted violence and accusations of corruption

In a joint statement, the main opposition leaders said they would form a government of national unity.

A Kanu spokesman called on the opposition to accept defeat gracefully.

Presidental candidate Mwai Kibaki says he will not accept a victory for President Moi (1'41")

Earlier, riot police were called to a Nairobi constituency after fighting broke out between rival supporters. A Government statement said the security forces had been instructed to deal firmly with any lawlessness.

Kenya's Electoral Commission is refusing to issue interim election results, claiming the law forbids it to do so.

However, it is coming under increasing pressure to publish the running totals. "If ever there was a time in people's life that they need up-to-the-minute information, then it is now," said the East African Standard in an editorial.

The local election monitoring group led by church leaders has called for a full inquiry into the chaos that marked the two days of polling.

The monitors said public confidence had been seriously undermined.

The head of the Government-appointed electoral commission admitted some errors had been made but insisted that the poll was free and fair.

Voting amid violence

The election process was called into doubt by delays and widespread allegations from all sides of vote-rigging. It was also marred by violence.

Two people were shot dead

Two people were shot dead by security forces when violence flared in the town of Nakuru in the Rift Valley. Furious voters had demanded an explanation for delays and accused the ruling party of vote-rigging.

Elsewhere there were reports of too few ballot papers being delivered and of voters turning on electoral officials in frustration.

Outside counting centres armed police were deployed in large numbers.

At Nairobi City Hall, one of the large counting centres, the work began amid angry scenes as party agents protested whenever they believed they spotted an irregularity.

President Moi has also criticised the vote. In a statement he accused the electoral commission of orchestrating the chaos in order to undermine him and his ruling Kanu party.
 

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