5 August 2010 Last updated at 06:11

Kenyans vote in referendum on a new constitution

Masai women in their colourful costumes line up to vote in Ngong, Kenya (August 4, 2010)

Kenyans have voted in a referendum on a new constitution designed to address corruption, political patronage, land disputes and tribal conflicts.

Kenyans line up to vote at a polling station in Ngong Town, Kenya, Aug. 4 2010

At many polling stations long queues had formed by the time voting began at 0600 local time.

Kenyan election officials point a voter to the voting booth in a poling station in Naivasha, Kenya (August 4, 2010).

More than 12 million Kenyans were called to the polls, and surveys suggested that a majority would vote in favour of the new constitution.

A policeman and voters in Eldoret, Kenya, August 4, 2010

Police say an extra 70,000 officers were deployed across the country to prevent a repeat of the violence that followed the disputed December 2007 election.

Children play with a football at Mawingu camp for people internally displaced in the Rift Valley (July 31, 2010).

During the campaign tensions were especially high in the Rift Valley region, where many people still live in camps after being displaced in the violent clashes in 2007 and 2008.

Women cheer during a "YES Vote" campaign rally in the capital Nairobi August 1, 2010.

Both Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki backed the "Yes" campaign. Those who campaigned against the new constitution said it would increase ethnic divisions.

Africa

Kenyans vote in referendum on a new constitution

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