Ruto is gaining on Raila Odinga’s traditional strongholds of Western and Coast according to results of latest opinion poll released by Mizani Africa.
It’s still a neck to neck race between Raila and Ruto according to opinion polls. The two leading contenders are separated by a marginal difference between them of only 0.1%.
According to Mizani poll, Ruto is the most popular presidential candidate commanding the highest rating with 47.0% while Raila comes closely in second place with 46.9% making a marginal difference between them of only 0.1%.
Overall, the poll shows Ruto’s popularity has been declining from the high of 54.3% in August 2017 to 46.9% in April 2022.
According to the poll, Ruto commands serious lead in two regions – Central and Rift Valley while Raila leads in the six remaining regions of Nairobi, Western, Nyanza, Coast, North Eastern and Lower Eastern.
Raila leads in 24 out of 47 counties in Kenya, while Ruto leads in 22 counties. The two leading presidential contenders tie in Lamu county.
The opinion poll shows Ruto has been gaining in Raila’s strong holds of Western and Coast. Ruto is ahead of Raila in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties where he enjoys 55.8% and 49.4% respectively against Raila’s 37.2% and 42.2%.
Ruto has also managed to tilt Raila’s stronghold of Lamu into a swing vote where they both enjoy 50/50 support.
Meanwhile Raila is also gaining on Ruto in Central where he managed to record more than 10% popularity in seven out of the eight counties that make up Mt Kenya region.
In Central, Raila enjoys most support in Kiambu county where his popularity is at 30.2% while he is least supported in Embu county where he scored 9.0% support.
In other news, ODM leader Raila Odinga has accused Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya of betrayal.
The opposition chief was on a campaign trail in Kinango, Kwale county when he accused the governor of running away from him even after he successfully introduced him into the rocky world of politics.
He said Mvurya, who was first elected on an ODM ticket in 2013, has betrayed him by siding with Deputy President William Ruto.
In 2013, Raila says the Kwale governor was a novice in politics and he helped him become the formidable politician he is today.
“He (Mvurya) was brought to my office in 2013. He could not even express himself in public, but I helped him become the first governor here. He has now decided to join the other side, we have no issue with that,” he said.
In the governor race, Mvurya is campaigning for his deputy Fatma Achani to take over from him. Achani is vying on a UDA party ticket.
Raila rallied the Kwale citizens to vote for Hamadi Boga, who until recently was serving as the Principal Secretary for Agriculture.
