( CNN ) -- Two Kenyan presidential frontrunners are awaiting the results of a vote recount , bringing back memories of a political dynasty that dates to the 1960s . Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga are the sons of the nation 's first president and vice president , respectively . Their fathers started out as allies in the quest for Kenyan independence from Britain . But their relationship ended in bad blood when founding President Jomo Kenyatta forced out his vice president , Jaramogi Odinga , following a series of disputes . About five decades later , it is the sons ' turn in the spotlight . Though the two are the main players , there are a total of eight presidential contenders . Kenya elections : What you need to know . Uhuru Kenyatta . One of two deputy prime ministers , he has the political clout and the resources . He was born into a wealthy , powerful family and is one of Africa 's richest , according to Forbes magazine . If elected , the 51-year-old would be the nation 's youngest president . He lost the presidential election in 2002 to the incumbent , but has maintained his popularity . But his fame has come at a price . He is facing crimes against humanity over accusations he mobilized a tribal militia to fight in the last disputed election . He has denied the charges . Despite the International Criminal Court indictment , supporters have stood by him . His running mate , William Ruto , has also been indicted by the ICC , and both will appear at the Hague this year . A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst , he is a candidate for the Jubilee Coalition . Raila Odinga . The current prime minister is a political veteran who spent years in government detention in the 1980s after a failed coup attempt . After he was freed , he went into political exile in Norway and returned to fight for democracy in 1991 at a time when elections in the nation were single party affairs . Odinga , 68 , enjoys massive popularity in Kibera , the nation 's largest slum , which is under his constituency . A fixture in the nation 's politics for decades , the office of the prime minister was created for him in a power-sharing deal after a disputed election in 2007 . He attended university in Germany , and is a candidate for the Coalition of Reforms and Democracy . Musalia Mudavadi . The second deputy prime minister has been in politics for more than two decades , and has served as a running mate to both frontrunners in previous elections . He started off as a member of parliament in 1989 , and later become minister for finance . He had a short stint as the nation 's vice president more than a decade ago . The 52-year-old former rugby player is a contender for the Amani Coalition . He graduated from the University of Nairobi . Martha Karua . The veteran politician 's win would make her the first female president in Kenya . She was a big part of the current government , but cut ties with it four years ago when she resigned as justice minister . A former lawyer , the 55-year-old Karua has said if she does n't win the presidency , she will retire from politics . She equates her leadership to that of a mother , and has said she will run the government like a household and not let her children go hungry . Her campaign slogan is `` Simama na Mama , '' which translates to `` Support Mom '' in Swahili . The University of Nairobi alumna is a contender for the National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya party . Other candidates : . Four others are running , including former banker Peter Kenneth , Mohammed Dida , Paul Muite and James Ole Kiyiapi .
If elected , Uhuru Kenyatta would be the nation 's youngest president . Raila Odinga spent years in government detention in the 1980s . Musalia Mudavadi is a former rugby player . Martha Karua has said she will run the government like a household .