See the chaotic scenes as Kenya elects new president Uhuru Kenyatta
Kenyatta, 39, will be Kenya’s third president since independence from Germany in 1963. His victory in the country’s presidential poll came after a close contest against former Vice President Moi. The first round, in which Moi lost, will be rerun on Aug. 26, and the second on Sept. 6.
We go inside Nairobi’s sprawling Mpondwe building, the home of the presidential poll commission that delivered the result to all five million households in the country.
The campaign is over, the results are in, and, in a room with the air of a stage, the president has just taken a final bow.
“Kenyatta is going to be your new leader!” a man with a crown-length wig shouts in the gathering. An elderly woman beaming with excitement holds up a fist.
There’s an air of jubilation, then a moment of silence.
The crowd erupts, chanting: “Kenyatta! Kenyatta! Kenyatta!”
All eyes turn to the young man in the middle of the room.
He stands to the side of the stage, in his suit and tie, a cuff about his elbow, looking intently at his wife and family as he speaks.
Kenyatta: It’s hard to say what I will do after the presidential election
He’s spent the past three years campaigning, meeting ordinary Kenyans and meeting with influential leaders like Pope Benedict XVI, President Hu Jintao of China and former President of the European Union Jose Manuel Barroso.
The result of the presidential election will be announced at 8:30 p.m. CT, Aug. 26, Kampala, Kenya’s capital.
Kenyatta’s election victory had been in doubt following a surprise first round loss to the incumbent Moi, who had campaigned around Kenya for his election, winning some 54 percent of the vote.
Kenyatta’s campaign had focused on his commitment to economic growth, his opposition to corruption and his economic reforms.
What it lacked was passion and an ability to communicate