Kenyans have cast their ballots for a new leader in a fiercely-contested race that's too close to call

Polling has officially closed in Kenya's crucial general elections as outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta prepares to hand over power to a new leader. it is a tight race and some analysts say it could lead to a run-off for the first time in Kenya's history.

About 22 million Kenyans registered to vote, the country's electoral body (IEBC) said, and polls opened from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time (11 p.m. ET Monday to 10 a.m. ET Tuesday).

Voters in line to vote by closing time will still be permitted to cast their ballots, the electoral commission also promised a time extension for areas where voting started late.