KENYA: President appeals for calm as he casts his vote in poll for the country's new constitution

Record ID: 360678

  • Title: KENYA: President appeals for calm as he casts his vote in poll for the country's new constitution
  • Date: 5th August 2010
  • Summary: OTHAYA, KENYA (AUGUST 04) (REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) KENYAN PRESIDENT MWAI KIBAKI ENTERING POLLING STATION SECURITY LOOKING ON KIBAKI GOING TO CAST VOTE CAMERAMAN VARIOUS OF KIBAKI GETTING INK/KIBAKI GETTING HIS ID CHECKED KIBAKI SHAKING HANDS WITH ELECTORAL OFFICIALS
  • Embargoed: 20th August 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAD99MD3X9M0VPC8667M3QMDRY9
  • Story Text: Kenya's president Mwai Kibaki cast his vote in his Othaya constituency in central Kenya and urged Kenyans to go out vote in large numbers.
    The polls for a new constitution are seen as a test of democracy after disputed 2007 elections and one that could reshape the politics of east Africa's largest economy.
    The new charter was a key provision in the power-sharing deal struck between then rivals President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga to end the violence that followed the election in 2007.
    Kibaki asked voters to be patient for the final result.
    "The election has gone well, but today is the day we will know the end result," he said. "At this moment, we want everyone to be calm, and not be people who are violent. There is no conflict, let's continue properly, so that we finish developing our country."
    But the referendum has deepened rifts in the grand coalition led by Kibaki and Odinga that has been shaky since its inception, with constant bickering and infighting among members.
    Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have been key supporters of the "Yes" campaign.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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