Kenya's incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta won 98% of the vote in a repeated election in which an opposition boycott helped lower turnout to 39%, the electoral commission said on Monday (local time).
The announcement touched off small protests in a few opposition strongholds but also celebrations in pro-Kenyatta areas. Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga said the October 26 election was a farce. Civil society groups also cited problems with the vote.
The violence has for the most part seen protestors clash with police but some Kenyans fear it is starting to take on ethnic overtones after two deaths in clashes between rival groups at the weekend. At least 66 people have died in overall election violence.
On Monday, the US ambassador said Washington was "profoundly concerned" by the outbreaks of violence since the re-run. Kenya is east Africa's richest economy and a key security ally of the West against militant Islam. It also a key regional trade, logistics and trade hub.
In his victory speech, Kenyatta repeated his belief that his victory in the original August 8 election was legitimate and said dialogue would have to wait if the opposition was going to lodge court cases again. The Supreme Court nullified the August 8 vote on procedural grounds.
"My victory today is just part of a process that is likely to once again be subjected to a constitutional test through our courts ... I will submit to this constitutional path regardless of the outcome," Kenyatta said.
"Those who are going to ask me: 'Are you going to engage in dialogue?' ... Let them (the opposition) first and foremost exhaust all their constitutional options."
Kenyatta took 98% of the vote, results from 266 out of 291 constituencies showed. The electoral commission said 7,616,217 valid votes were cast, representing 39% of the 19.6 million registered voters.
Protests by Odinga's supporters prevented polling stations from opening in 25 constituencies.
The election commission said poor security prevented voting in those areas but the final announcement could go ahead as it would not "materially affect" the result.
In the pro-Kenyatta area of Dagoretti North in Nairobi, cars honked and crowds of supporters in red T-shirts ran through the streets.
"I'm so happy the president has got his seat back," said Peterson Njau. "Now the economy is going to lift up again."
Another resident, Kennedy Okeyo, said he cared more about football than politics but that ethnic clashes in his home this weekend had unnerved him.
"You can't get to work, and even if you get to work, you can get attacked because of who you are," he said.
