AP — NAIROBI, Kenya Tuesday marks the presidential election in Kenya, which is unusual since it pits the flamboyant deputy president—who describes himself as the outsider and a "hustler"—against a longtime opposition figure who is supported by the outgoing leader. 

The vote is thought to be close, and the economic center of East Africa may have a presidential runoff for the first time. The rampant corruption in the economy, rather than the racial tensions that have occasionally led to violent outcomes in previous elections, may be more important. 

In a region where some presidents are infamous for maintaining their hold on power for decades, Kenya stands out with its comparatively democratic system. Foreign investors, the poorest of street sellers, and problematic neighbors like Ethiopia and Somalia depend on its stability.

In several places, hundreds of voters waited in line hours before the polls opened, frequently after hearing whistles from volunteers. The electronic voting system occasionally experienced issues, and presidential contender George Wajackoyah told reporters that voting kits weren't functioning in his support base. Wajackoyah is polling in the low single digits, but his support for marijuana legalization has raised concerns about whether he will get enough support to trigger a runoff. 

The two leading candidates are 55-year-old Deputy President William Ruto, who has emphasized his journey from a humble childhood to appeal to millions of struggling Kenyans who have grown accustomed to political dynasties, and Raila Odinga, a democracy campaigner who has been vying for the presidency for 25 years.

After casting one of the first ballots, Ruto told reporters, "In moments like this is when the mighty and the powerful come to the knowledge that it is the simple and the ordinary that ultimately make the choice." "I eagerly anticipate our day of victory." He exhorted Kenyans to practice nonviolence and respect others' decisions. 

On his route to cast his ballot, Odinga told reporters, "I am confident that the people of Kenya will speak out strongly in favor of democratic reform. As he made his way to the Kibera voting district in Nairobi, a jubilant mob sprinted alongside his motorcade. 

Uhuru Kenyatta, the outgoing president and the son of Kenya's first president, crossed traditional ethnic boundaries and displeased Ruto by endorsing longstanding foe Odinga the largest ethnic group in the nation, the Kikuyu, as their running companions. 

By selecting Martha Karua, a former justice minister and the first woman to be a top contender for the deputy presidency, 77-year-old Odinga has made political history. She voted early and wore a knit cap, a symbol of the exceptionally chilly weather in several areas of the nation, saying, "Make your voice known." 

With debt at 67 percent of GDP, youth unemployment at 40 percent, rising food and fuel prices, and corruption, economic issues are at the heart of an election in which unrestricted campaign expenditure exposed the nation's disparity. But character still matters.

We don't want someone who mistreats people leading us; we need mature people. Rosemary Mulima, a 55-year-old teacher who arrived with friends at a polling site outside of Nairobi to discover an estimated 500 people in line before daybreak, described the candidate as "someone who respects elders." On his fifth attempt, she had "extremely high" hopes for Odinga. 

Others attributed a lower turnout than the 80% of voters from five years ago to voter indifference. Just 2.5 million new voters, or less than half of what the electoral commission had planned for, were registered. 

Adrian Kibera, a 38-year-old shopkeeper, said, "The challenges from 2017, the economics, the day-to-day existence, are still here." He wasn't sure if he would bother to cast a ballot. He described Odinga as being too old and stated, "We don't have good options because Ruto too is inexperienced.

Kenyans want a calm election. Elections can be extremely tumultuous, as was the case in 2007, when the nation erupted after Odinga claimed the vote had been stolen from him, resulting in the deaths of over a thousand people. For his part in the violence, Ruto was charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity, but his case was dropped due to claims of witness tampering. 

After Odinga contested the election results in 2017 due to anomalies, the high court annulled them—a first in Africa. He subsequently refused to participate in the new election and declared himself the "people's president," accusing others of treason. He and Kenyatta shook hands in front of everyone to diffuse the situation. 

Kenyans and election observers will be keeping an eye on Odinga because this may be his final attempt.

Kenyans and election observers will be watching to see how Odinga's frequently fervent fans respond to the results and any claims of cheating because this is probably his final attempt. 

If the election was free and fair, Ruto and Odinga both stated they would accept the official results. After the vote, the president informed reporters that "it is every Kenyan's hope." 

There are more than 22 million voters who are registered. Although official results must be made public within a week, if they aren't released by this weekend, people will become impatient. Pressure is mounting on the underfunded Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to guarantee a trouble-free vote.

A candidate must receive more than 50% of the total votes and at least 25% of the votes in more than half of Kenya's 47 counties in order to win outright. If there is no clear winner, there will be a runoff vote within 30 days.