afrol News, 25 September - Kenyans turned up in large numbers today in two by-elections to replace lawmakers who perished in a plane crash in June, officials said.

By-elections come a week after commission of inquiry into disputed December elections called for radical reformation of country's electoral system.

Voting took place in Rift Valley's Sotik and Bomet constituencies, west of capital Nairobi, an official from Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK), announced.

More than a dozen politicians were contesting to replace two lawmakers who, until their 10 June death, were part of prime minister Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement party (ODM).

ECK holds this by-election under pressure to deliver credible elections after Independent Review Commission probing December election recommended that body be overhauled.

Critics have said by-elections will be a test of ODM's popularity in region, which was one of party's strongholds in highly disputed December election.

But ODM leader Mr Odinga has been facing a growing rebellion from some of region's MPs over government's plans to reclaim land allocated in Mau Forest and distribution of cabinet posts.

Some ODM MPs have openly defied their party by campaigning for candidates with a relatively small party, United Democratic Movement (UDM).

President Mwai Kibaki's Party of National Unity is also hoping to increase its influence in region after its poor showing there during last elections.

Following 27 December polls, opposition candidate Mr Odinga, accused incumbent president of widespread rigging to earn victory of December 2007 general elections.

Dispute led to nationwide protests, which rapidly deteriorated into a cycle of ethnic battles and revenge killings, that left at least 1,500 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.

Chaos eventually ended with a 28 February power-sharing agreement, brokered by former UN chief Kofi Annan, which saw Mr Kibaki keep his job with Mr Odinga taking helm of a coalition cabinet.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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