Day two of the election drama. Yesterday millions waiting in hot lines for hours (some 7 or 8 hours!) voted for their candidate. Because of some difficulties, the polls sometimes opened late and were left open longer than intended. Throughout the night, the counting began and results from the 30,000 polling stations texted to the IEBC headquarters and reported. This morning, 30% of the votes had been counted. The longer things take, the more people mistrust the process. Like in the US, there are some stronghold areas that people are waiting for to move the results one way or another. There is already talk among some of vote rigging and cheating and some fear that, whatever the outcome, there will be some violence. It is just a matter of how much and for how long. 99,700 soldiers were spread out all over the country to try and keep peace. There are also 23,000 observers. 19 people, some soldiers, died in violence near Mombasa, at least two people died waiting in the lines and a polling official was “accidentally” shot in the head and killed by a soldier.

Benson went to work at the US Embassy today. There aren’t many in his office, he reports, since many are acting as observers in the field. Downtown Nairobi is a ghost town as most people stay home for another day, fearing the results. Here in Athi River, many shops are closed, probably because the owners are upcountry to vote and haven’t returned yet. There are few matatus and buses running. It is a little eerie.

I am fine, in my little room, ear to the radio and checking the results online. We honestly have no idea what will happen – who will win and what the opposition plans as a result. Tension – some cause by the fact that with 30% of the votes counted, over 200,000 ballots have been rejected! It creates a little mistrust.

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