Kenya polls set for 27 December

Mr Kibaki (r) took over from Mr Moi in 2002

Kenya's electoral commission has named 27 December as the date for elections.
Presidential, parliamentary and civic polls will be held simultaneously and are expected to be closely contested.

President Mwai Kibaki is running for a second five-year term, having won an election in 2002 to replace former long-time leader Daniel arap Moi.

Political deals are expected to be struck in the next few days as candidates forge new alliances, the BBC's Karen Allen reports from Kenya.

President Kibaki's biggest challenge is likely to come from the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, former cabinet minister Raila Odinga, who is making a second attempt at securing the presidency.

Recent opinion polls put Mr Odinga more than 10 points ahead with 43-52% compared to 31-38% for Mr Kibaki.

Another former cabinet minister, Kalonzo Musyoka, is also to take part in the contest, as well as a former televangelist turned politician Pastor Pius Muiru.

President Kibaki, 75, will be seeking re-election on the basis of Kenya's strong economic record.

However, the key issues in the elections are likely to be his track record, trust and tribe, in a country where politics continue to be polarised along ethnic lines.