Armed gunmen kill 15 as presidential poll opens
Monday 04 March 2013
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EmailAt least 15 people died in attacks by machete-wielding gangs today during the Kenyan presidential election.
Just before the start of voting, nine security officers in the Mombasa region were hacked to death and six attackers were also killed. Another attack took place in Kilifi about 80 miles to the north.
Senior police officers blamed them on separatist movement the Mombasa Republican Council, which wanted the vote scrapped and a referendum on secession instead.
Uhuru Kenyatta, one of two top candidates, faces charges at the International Criminal Court for orchestrating post-election violence in 2007-8.
If he wins, Mr Kenyatta may have to spend a significant portion of his presidency at the Hague.
His running mate William Ruto also faces charges at the ICC.
Mr Kenyatta, a Kikuyu who is the son of Kenya's founding president, faces Raila Odinga, a Luo whose father was the country's first vice-president.
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