Kenya By-Elections Run Smoothly

Kenyans voted smoothly in five parliamentary by-elections Wednesday, with results being released promptly after tallying. Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement carried three seats, while President Mai Kibaki’s PNU Alliance won two. Analysts had feared that campaign rivalry in the five by-elections could strain the Kibaki-Odinga coalition government, which was formed to halt intense political skirmishes that erupted after both leaders claimed victory in Kenya’s December 2007 presidential election. [P.E]