JUST IN: Gallery////in pictures final kenyan poll rallies - Global Impact

In Pictures

In Pictures: Final Kenyan poll rallies

Rival alliances held mass rallies in Nairobi before campaigning ended ahead of Monday’s vote.

Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi was a sea of red on Saturday as thousands of supporters of The National Alliance party gathered for the last rally before the general election.

By Roopa Gogineni

Kenyans go to the polls on Monday.

On Saturday, the country’s two most prominent rival alliances held final rallies before a ban on campaigning kicked in.

The rallies were colourful and the candidates did their best to enthuse supporters ahead of a vote seen as too close to call.

Jubilee Coalition candidates Najib Balala, Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, and Charity Ngilu urged voters to turn out en masse on Monday to avoid a runoff. The Jubilee Coalition includes The National Alliance and three other parties.

Advertisement

Tens of thousands of The National Alliance supporters gathered early on Saturday awaiting final words from presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta and running mate William Ruto.

Red hats and t-shirts were handed out to supporters upon arriving at Uhuru Park.

A concert featuring popular Kenyan artists preceded the candidates(***) address.

The crowd danced for hours awaiting the arrival of Jubilee Coalition candidates.

"I believe" is The National Alliance(***)s campaign slogan.

Advertisement

Rival coalition CORD (Coalition for Reforms and Democracy) held their last rally down the street from Uhuru Park in Nyayo Stadium.

Members of Prime Minister Raila Odinga(***)s Orange Democratic Movement - part of the CORD alliance - welcome fellow supporters to the national stadium with music and dancing.

Helicopters, purportedly belonging to The National Alliance, buzzed around the stadium several times, and were met with good-natured jeers from the crowd of Orange Democratic Movement supporters beneath.

Thousands of Odinga fans packed the stadium, listening to speeches and dancing to reggae music, while waiting for an appearance by their party(***)s hero.