4 Prime Sources to Follow for Kenyan Presidential Election News

Today Kenya is holding its presidential election and many are wary that violence may mar the electoral process as it did in the hotly contested 2007 election where over 1000 people were killed during violent outbreaks throughout the country. The hotbed of violence took place in Kibera, one of Nairobi’s largest slums where fighting broke out along tribal lines. Reports of five police deaths have already emerged from Mombassa. Now the world watches closely as the nation votes between main presidential contenders: Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta.

Must-read: Foreign Policy published a superb history of Kenyan politics that explains why this election is pivotal and wrought with historical significance.

As the elections take place today here are four prime sources to follow for up-to-date news and citizen journalism.

Uchaguzi – Uchaguzi is Ushahidi’s site for citizens to report everything from positive events to security issues through SMS and Twitter updates.

Uchaguzi’s aim is to help Kenya have a free, fair, peaceful, and credible general election. Uchaguzi’s strategy for this is to contribute to stability in Kenya by increasing transparency and accountability through active citizen participation in the electoral cycles – See more at: http://blog.ushahidi.com/2013/02/11/uchaguzi-kenya-2013-launched/#sthash.CD6wA2aO.dpuf

You can find updates on citizen reports and a gallery of tweets, photos, and videos from the elections.

The IEBC states that if you’re in the voting queue at your polling station by 5pm, you’ll be allowed to vote. #KenyaDecides
— Uchaguzi (@uchaguzi) March 4, 2013

Al Jazzera: Al Jazeera is publishing a multimedia Kenya election live blog. You can see photos and tweets from the ground as well as regularly updated posts and soundcloud audio.

Al Jazzera has also published an interactive map to find poll data, ethic divisions and live vote coverage.

Earlier today @JamesBrownsell was in #Nairobi slums, now he is in wealthy suburbs. Kilometre-long lines in each | http://t.co/IUei5iRx7N
— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 4, 2013

BBC Africa – As can expected, the BBC has several reporters (Twitter list) on the ground in Kenya to bring us up-to-date reporting during today’s election and its ensuing outcome. In addition to radio spots and traditional web articles, the BBC is publishing tweets from its reporters as well. The BBC has published a gallery of election photos. Find full election coverage at www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa.

#kenyadecides2013 turn out at Ayany in Kibera. So far so good. pic.twitter.com/EHH8BzopHn
— Solomon Mugera (@smugera) March 4, 2013

#Kenyaelections There are more than 14 million voters, more than 30,000 polling stations, more than 22,000 election observers #kenyadecides
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) March 4, 2013

Associated Press: AP reporters are in Kenya publishing updated coverage of the elections through articles and photo. The best photos by far of the elections are coming from AP photographers. See a full gallery: Kenya Votes: Long lines and Violence. Follow the AP’s tags for Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta.