Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga has dismissed a recent opinion poll that named ODM leader Raila Odinga as the most popular presidential hopeful in Kenya’s two biggest cities.
A recent poll by TIFA research released on Tuesday, May 3, ranked Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga as the most popular presidential candidate in the counties of Nairobi and Mombasa ahead of the August 9, elections.
However, in a statement on Tuesday , May 3, Omanga, a close ally of Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto said the opinion polls were tailored to achieve a certain interest.
She said the opinion polls do not always reflect the final results adding that what matters most is the support the candidates have.
“Opinion polls tailored to achieve a certain narrative. Ground ndio kusema (The ground is the one that matters). Deputy President William Ruto has the people, and that’s what matters,” Omanga said in a Tweet.
Omanga’s comments were echoed by Ahmednasir Abdullahi who said that Raila has no pollsters whereas his bitter competitor William Ruto has the support of the voters.
The survey which was carried out in April through telephonic interviews said the former Prime Minister had a popularity rate of 41 percent in Nairobi with Deputy President William Ruto emerging second with 26 percent.
Based on the survey Raila Odinga has maintained a grip on his political stronghold of Mombasa County where 50 percent of residents would vote for the ODM leader if elections were held today.
“Whilst Raila Odinga is the most popular presidential candidate in Nairobi, the gap between him and DP Ruto is small enough to suggest that the level of contestation in this county will be high,” Tifa said.
A similar poll by Radio Africa Group done last month had also placed Raila ahead of Ruto in Nairobi and Mombasa counties.
