Kenyans went to the polls yesterday to vote in an election in which the battle is both metaphorical – the election has and is going to continue to be closely fought – and literal, as fears of violence pervaded the day yesterday and will hover over the country until and maybe even after the results are known.  Exit polls conflict over who leads the presidential tally, incumbent Mwai Kibaki or his challenger Raila Odinga. What appears clear, however, is that a number of incumbents, including Vice President Hon Moody Awori and several ministers, are likely to lose their seats in parliament.  If Odinga does win, and if peace and stability hold, the Kenyan elections will mark a crucial moment in contemporary African history and democracy.