Partial results showed Kenyans voted 65 per cent in favour of a new constitution in a peaceful poll that could reshape the politics of east Africa's largest economy after years of disputed, violent elections.
The constitutional changes are seen as important to avoid a repeat of the post-election tribal bloodshed in early 2008 that killed 1,300 people and took the country of about 40 million people to the brink of anarchy.
They address the corruption, political patronage, land grabbing and tribalism which have plagued Kenya since it won independence in 1963. The changes allow for greater checks on presidential powers, more devolution to grassroots administrations and an increase in civil liberties.
"I have come to vote for the new constitution which will guarantee me security in my farm where I was displaced in 2007 during clashes," said Milkah Gathoni Njoroge, who was born in 1919. "I am living with my family in Nakuru town. If the constitution passes, I will return to my land."
Kenya's 27,689 Polling stations in 210 constituencies closed at 5pm local time today with no major incidents reported. Some 12.5 million people were registered to vote.
Results will be transmitted to the electoral authority's tallying centre in Nairobi. Initial indications are expected within a few hours and the final results likely at some point tomorrow.
Of nearly 4.5 million votes counted so far, nearly 3 million voted 'Yes', a partial vote count showed.
There were long queues at polling stations across the country, especially in the Rift Valley centres of Eldoret and Nakuru that were at the epicentre of the 2008 violence.
Turnout was reportedly low, however, in the poor, arid northeast of the country.
Most Kenyans were expected to vote for the new constitution, according to surveys. If the law fails, Kenya will retain the current constitution bequeathed by former colonial power Britain.
William Ruto, a cabinet minister based in the Rift Valley who is leading "No" campaigners angry with clauses related to land ownership, said he would accept the outcome.
"This is an historic moment in our country and I'm sure Kenyans will make the right decision," he told reporters in his constituency. "Everyone has an obligation to accept the decision of the people of Kenya."
A previous attempt to change the constitution through a referendum in 2005 failed. To be adopted, the law requires 50 percent plus one vote of the ballot cast nationally and at least 25 percent of the votes in five of Kenya's eight provinces.
Reuters