First Kenyan presidential poll since bloodshed set for early 2013

Jan 13, 2012, 13:36 GMT

Nairobi - Kenya's High Court on Friday set early 2013 as the rough date for presidential polls, the first since tribal violence engulfed the eastern African nation after disputed elections in December 2007.

The High Court said elections should take place within 60 days of the end of the current parliament's mandate, which runs out on January 15. The electoral commission is responsible for setting the exact date, the court said.

Should the current coalition government be dissolved before then, the electoral commission will be charged with holding elections within 60 days, the High Court ruled.

Over 1,300 people died in the violence that only ended in March 2008 when opposition leader Raila Odinga, who had accused President Mwai Kibaki of stealing the elections, accepted the post of prime minister in a coalition government.

Suspicion was aroused at the last poll when results were delayed, leading supporters of Odinga to believe the incumbent was vote-rigging.

A new electoral body has been created. Also, a referendum on a new constitution last year took place without incident and was widely praised for its transparency, leading observers to believe such a system will reduce the chances of violence.

The fact that Kibaki has reached his two-term limit also reduces the possibility of more trouble, as there will not be an incumbent who can be accused of manipulating the levers of power to remain in charge, analysts say.

Another key factor in the elections is the International Criminal Court I(ICC) probe into the violence.

Six Kenyans are facing charges for their roles in the bloodshed, among them two men who are expected to figure strongly in the polls.

Uhuru Kenyatta, the current deputy prime minister and son of Kenya's first president, and William Ruto, who commands the support of millions of voters from his Kalenjin tribe, are seen as respectively a strong contender for the top job and a king-maker.

A poll published in November by Ipsos-Synovate gave Odinga a first-round lead, but pointed to a run-off election with Kenyatta the likely victor.

The ICC is due to rule before January 19 on whether to confirm the charges and press ahead with the prosecution.