[NASA Presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka have been asked to tread carefully amid rebellion in Ukambani.Photo/Standard]
With the October 17 presidential contest pitting President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA candidate Raila Odinga within site, the battle for over 1.6 million votes in the Lower Eastern region has gained unstoppable momentum.
In the August 8 contest, Raila won majority of the votes in the region that is Kalonzo Musyoka's traditional support base. However, President Uhuru Kenyatta's tally of over 150,000 votes in the three Ukambani counties reveals the region's vulnerability.
According to political analyst Brian Mutie, Raila-Kalonzo pair risks losing their support in the region if they allow Jubilee's influence to infiltrate the region.
Speaking in an interview on KTN, Mutie noted that NASA should carry out intensive campaigns in the three counties if they want to avoid to be shocked in next month's contest.
"Jubilee is making inroads in Ukambani. Having garnered 150,000 votes in August shows you that the region is vulnerable. So, NASA should try to move quickly and neutralize Jubilee's influence," said Dr. Mutie.
NASA's biggest task in the region is to contain the rebellion in region which has been set in motion by former Kitui Senator David Musila who has vowed to spearhead Uhuru's hunt for votes in Kalonzo's political turf.