NAIROBI, (AP):

Kenya is facing a potential crisis as the man announced as the winner of its presidential election, Uhuru Kenyatta, is facing charges at the International Criminal Court for his alleged role in directing some of Kenya's 2007 post-election violence.

His running mate, William Ruto, faces similar charges.

The United States had warned of "consequences" if Kenyatta, the son of Kenya's founding father, won.

Several European countries, including Britain, which ruled Kenya up until the early 1960s, have said they would have only essential contact with the Kenyan government if Kenyatta is president.

Yesterday, Kenya's election commission posted complete results showing that Kenyatta prevailed in the country's presidential elections by the slimmest of margins, winning 50.03 per cent of the vote.

That result is likely to bring controversy in Kenya and an almost certain legal challenge from his main rival Raila Odinga.

Kenyatta needed to break the 50 per cent barrier to avoid a run-off with Odinga, but he did so by only 4,099 votes out of more than 12.3 million cast.

Last Monday's presidential vote was the first since Kenya's 2007 election sparked two months of tribe-on-tribe violence after a disputed election win was claimed by President Mwai Kibaki.

More than 1,000 people were killed in attacks that included machetes, bows and arrows and police firearms.