Uhuru Kenyatta, who faces trial at the ICC next month, has established a large lead over rival Raila Odinga in early results from Kenya's presidential poll, BBC News said.

With results in from about 40% of polling stations, Kenyatta has 54% of the vote, against 42% for Odinga.

The head of the electoral commission emphasised these were provisional figures and urged Kenyans to wait patiently for the final outcome.

In 2007-8, more than 1,000 people were killed in post-election violence. Clashes broke out after Odinga claimed he had been cheated of victory by supporters of President Mwai Kibaki.

Kenyatta denies charges at the the International Criminal Court (ICC) that he was instrumental in organising the 2007-8 bloodshed.

Violence has also marred the current election, with at least 19 people killed on Monday, March 5 - mainly in coastal attacks attributed to separatists.

Officials and the media urged Kenyans to put their faith in the electoral process.

The election was a "turning point" whose outcome would determine whether Kenya would move forward as a "civilised state", said a Daily Nation editorial.

Kenyans also voted for members of parliament and senators, county governors and members of the 47 newly formed county assemblies.