There’s growing anticipation that the much-awaited results of last week’s Kenya presidential election will be known in the coming hours.
The results of more than three-quarters of the 290 constituencies have been verified and published.
Deputy President William Ruto has a slight lead over ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga – 51% against 48%, according to local media.
According to Kenyan law, the results must be announced by 16 August.
On Sunday, both Mr Odinga and Mr Ruto urged anxious Kenyans to be patient as they wait for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to determine which of them would be the country’s fifth president.
There have also been calls for peace from several leaders and bodies including the Catholic church which asked for “patience and civility” and urged the main candidates to show “restraint and statesmanship”.
Media organisations have been releasing provisional tallies using official data from the 46,000 polling stations. They also show a tight race. About 14 million votes were cast – a turnout of 65%.
On Saturday night, Mr Odinga’s supporters entered a restricted area and accosted electoral officials, accusing them of tampering with the vote.
His chief campaign manager was able to get to the lectern used by top electoral commission officials, where he criticised the result verification process.
“I want to announce to the nation that Bomas of Kenya is a scene of crime,” said Saitabao Ole Kanchory, before the microphone was switched off and he was led away.
Mr Ruto’s supporters accused their opponents of interfering with the tallying process.
Security has since been heightened inside the venue and access to the compound also restricted.
