Dozens of people were feared dead today in the violence that erupted following Kenya’s presidential election.

President Mwai Kibaki was re-elected in the closest presidential election in Kenya’s history, the elections chief said today.

Thousands of Kenyans enraged over delays in announcing the country’s next president burned down homes and clashed using sticks and machetes, tainting a vote that initially was seen as a beacon of hope for democracy in Africa.

Thousands of people angry about the slow return of results waved machetes and looted shops in Kenya today as President Mwai Kibaki closed the gap on the opposition in the closest presidential election in the country’s history.

Kenya’s referendum on a proposed constitution, which voters soundly rejected, was generally free and fair, an independent Observers’ group said today.

KENYAN President Mwai Kibaki conceded yesterday that voters rejected a new constitution that he had supported - the most serious political setback since he was elected in 2002.

Kenyans soundly rejected a constitution that critics said did too little to limit presidential powers, its chief proponent President Mwai Kibaki conceded today.