INSTANT VIEW: Kibaki wins Kenya's presidential election

NAIROBI (Reuters) - President Mwai Kibaki has beaten opposition leader Raila Odinga by a narrow margin to win re-election in Kenya's closest ever vote, the head of the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) said on Sunday.

Reaction from analysts, politicians and officials.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID MILIBAND:

"We have real concerns at the irregularities reported by the EU (European Union) observers and others. We call on all Kenya's political leaders and democratic institutions to work together to address those concerns. We will be discussing ways forward with our European and other partners in the coming weeks."

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ROBERT MCINTURFF:

"The United States congratulates the winners and is calling for calm, and for Kenyans to abide by the results declared by the election commission. We support the commission's decision."

EU CHIEF ELECTION MONITOR ALEXANDER GRAF LAMBSDORFF:

"The tallying process lacks credibility and despite the best efforts the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) has not fulfilled its responsibilities to create such a process."

RAILA ODINGA, OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE:

"I call upon Honourable Mwai Kibaki to exit from State House tomorrow ... It is a shame that a few people are robbing Kenyans of the democratic progress they have achieved.

The train of democracy in Kenya is unstoppable like the flow of the Nile. With the forces of reaction we will prevail whether they like it or not."

PHILIPPE DE PONTET, ANALYST FOR U.S.-BASED EURASIA GROUP

"Short-term unrest is likely to ensue in Nairobi, Mombasa and Western province, following widespread accusations of vote-rigging, causing days of negative press and market volatility. Odinga's concession, not at all guaranteed, would be critical to returning calm; his likely leadership role in parliament may push him towards conciliation. A Kibaki win will ensure policy continuity but the administration will face tremendous political headwinds in parliament."

KOKI MULI, HEAD OF INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION IN DEMOCRACY:

"This is the saddest day in the history of democracy in this country. It is a coup d'etat. It is not about who wins, it is about the legitimacy and the credibility of the process."

GEORGE OGOLA, UK-BASED POLITICAL ANALYST: