[Raila Odinga in a past rally. Both NASA and Jubilee have resorted to indoor meeting with Gusii leaders. Photo/Nation]
In their bid to woo over 800, 000 votes in Kisii and Nyamira Counties, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his archrival Raila Odinga have crafted a new strategy which seems to be targeting opinion shapers in the community.
Earmarked as a swing region, the two political protagonists wrestled each other in august with Uhuru’s support exponentially improving compared to 2013 outing.
And with the repeat poll few weeks away, the two leaders have reverted to indoor meetings with various leaders and professionals to scramble for the votes.
While Uhuru has already met professionals and grassroots leaders from the region, Odinga has held few rallies in the region and is set to meet leaders selected from the region on Wednesday in Nairobi.
Later on, Odinga will meet a number of professionals from the community whose vote is considered crucial in the presidential vote.
“Meeting grassroots leaders seems to be more economical and favourable because they will help drive message home,” says Gideon Mamboleo.
He adds:”It will now depend how each candidate reaches the leaders especially those who haven’t decided.”
Jubilee has invested in gubernatorial losers Walter Nyambati (Nyamira) and Chris Obure (Kisii) while Odinga is closely working with Governors James Ongwae (Kisii) and John Nyagarama (ODM).
On Monday, Uhuru met several women leaders from the two regions at State House where he appealed for their support.