Kenya's opposition appeared on course for a landmark victory this afternoon as unofficial results trickled in from general elections marking the end of President Daniel arap Moi's 24-year rule.
If the trend continues, Kenya could record one of the most remarkable democratic changes in Africa by peacefully retiring one of the continent's last old-style political strongmen.
The poll was also shaping into a rout of Mr Moi's KANU party, for long the unchallenged ruling organ of East Africa's biggest economy. Nine senior KANU cabinet ministers, including the vice-president and the finance minister, were rejected by voters, according to preliminary results.
"We are cruising to a fantastic and historic victory," leading opposition politician Mr Kijana Wamalwa said as early returns appeared in line with most analysts' predictions.
With almost a quarter of the electorate counted by 1520 GMT, unofficial results gave NARC candidate Mr Mwai Kibaki 65 per cent of the key presidential vote. KANU's Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, Mr Moi's handpicked successor and son of Kenya's independence leader Mr Jomo Kenyatta, was trailing with 28 per cent.
NARC had won 71 seats against 26 for KANU in the race for the largely powerless assembly, according to unofficial results compiled by the Institute for Education in Democracy (IED) and private Nation Television. Parliament has 210 elected members and 12 nominated by the parties.
Three minor presidential contenders are given little chance. The Electoral Commission begun issuing preliminary tallies today, similar to those by independent poll trackers. It says the official presidency result might not be out until January 1st.
"The mood here is very sombre," said an official at State House, Kenya's seat of power. NARC leaders sensing victory were already in jubilant mood.
Some excited supporters staged noisy joyrides down Nairobi's main business thoroughfare in dangerously overloaded pickups. Opposition stalwart Mr Raila Odinga toned down his persistent warnings against possible poll foul play by KANU, but advised Mr Moi and his party at a news conference: "I think that the most honourable thing to do now is accept defeat and hand over gracefully."