/ 23 November 2007

Kenya’s president neck-and-neck with challenger

Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki has closed a gap with leading challenger Raila Odinga and is now running neck-and-neck with him ahead of elections in five weeks’ time, the country’s leading poll service said on Friday.

The latest Steadman poll gave Odinga 43,6% to Kibaki’s 43,3%. Its last poll two weeks ago showed Odinga with 45% and Kibaki with 41%.

Since then, the 76-year-old incumbent has stepped up his appearances in towns and villages across East Africa’s biggest economy. He has even curtailed an official visit to Uganda for a Commonwealth meeting to return to the campaign trail.

”There is what we can call a hairline difference between the two top contenders,” George Waititu, Steadman managing director, told reporters.

”Voter turnout will still be the biggest determinant in terms of who wins,” he added.

Kenya’s parliamentary and presidential polls take place on December 27. – Reuters