Presidential Vote Set for Dec. 27

Kenya will hold elections Dec. 27 to pick a successor to President Daniel Arap Moi, electoral officials announced.

The contest for the nation's third leader since independence from Britain in 1963 will pit political neophyte Uhuru Kenyatta, 42, against Mwai Kibaki, 71, a former vice president and two-time presidential candidate.

The elections, which will also include voting for parliamentary seats, are seen as a test for good governance. Kenyatta is Moi's choice, but opposition forces are warning that he would be a puppet for Moi and perpetuate what they call Moi's corrupt rule.