FROM KENYA:

EYEWITNESSES:

Louise, Nairobi:

I am just a local resident living near the Kibera area. What we have seen from where we live, the goings on overnight and even during the day is really traumatising. Gangs of people streaming in from the afflicted areas are walking into different estates and setting cars and houses on fire. Houses have been set on fire, the city centre has completely been sealed off by police and we believe that they have been given a shoot to kill order from above. We have children and this is not the way forward in this issue.

Eric Mwangi Kariuki, Nairobi:

I am currently in Umoja estate, a residential area in the east side of Nairobi. The area is relatively calm although tension still lingers after last night's clashes that were witnessed in the area. The riots broke out in the inner core section of the estate and a contingent of police were deployed to the area. Buildings were torched by demonstrators as they engaged the police in a cat and mouse game. Reports on deaths are still unavailable although gun shots were heard all through the night.

Mary, Nairobi:

It is sad to see what is happening: people burning houses. People dying leaving orphans behind, businesses have stopped which will help bring down the economy, no means of transport, no movement from one place to another as there is such tight security. All this is specifically affecting poor Kenyans.

Malachy Ekal, Kakuma north-western Kenya:

Here in Kakuma, the situation is tense and people are regrouping in 10's, 20's and even 50's contemplating the next move after what I call "daylight robbery" by the government.

Mzungu, Nairobi (critic):

I don't think Kenyans will ever feel the urge to vote again unless this is solved properly, which I doubt. This election has only served tribalism.

EDWIN, Nairobi (critic):

Test a man's character by giving him power. Kibaki has failed the test. The vote rigging was done in broad daylight. We Kenyans call for peace. Let us put to shame those behind this, by not disintegrating.

Yussuf, Garissa, north-eastern Kenya (critic):

I am very ashamed to be a Kenyan today. We have shown that we don't want the Kibaki government by rejecting many of his ministers. But Kibaki doesn't want to accept defeat. What a shame.

King'ori, Nairobi (critic):

It's a really sad day for Kenya. Regardless of what ‘benefits' and economic growth was attained under Kibaki's first term, he will always be remembered as the great demagogue who turned back our nascent democracy 20 years. I regret voting for him.

Denis, Nairobi (supporter of Kibaki):

Though it was grossly irregular that some election results were delayed, it is astonishing that we opt to ignore all that Kibaki has done. Though many claim that Kenyans rejected Kibaki, it may be that they rejected his cabinet and members of parliament who negotiate for ministerial positions using their provincial clout.

Dianna, Nairobi (supporter):

This was my first time to vote and it was a very good experience for me to decide who I wanted to be my leader. I voted for President Kibaki because he has really brought a lot of change, stability, peace, development and my country has really progressed. As for Raila Odinga, I think he is a lot of trouble and he cannot lead this country peacefully. Kenyans made their choice and it should be respected.

FROM ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD:

Angelina, Copenhagen, Denmark (critic):

I am a Kenyan and am not a Luo or a Kikuyu but I have no doubt in my mind that Raila Odinga is the true president of the people of Kenya. It is sad that Kenyans have been robbed of their rights in broad daylight while the whole world was watching. I congratulate the observers of the European Union for their good work and honesty, but shame on US for not thinking of the poor Kenyans who want change for the better.

Charity Musonda, Lusaka, Zambia (critic):

What has happened in Kenya can be likened to what happened in Zambia's elections, where Micheal Sata was in the lead. After days where we lacked information, Mwanawasa was sworn in. It is from this experience that I have every reason to believe that elections in Kenya were as fraudulent as they were in Zambia.

Wendy, Nairobi and Washington (supporter):

Being over 40 years of age, I have lived through Kenyatta's reign, Moi's dictatorship, and Kibaki's leadership. It amazes me that many Kenyans expected Kibaki, in a mere five years, to have totally reversed the destruction created by Moi. We will be paying back IMF, WB, ODA loans well into the next three Kenyan generations. Kibaki has done well so far, and the results prove it.