Governor James Ongwae [Photo/The Star]
Kisii Governor James Ongwae would comfortably retain his seat if the elections were held today, a new poll by Infotrack has said.
According to the poll, Ongwae’s (ODM) popularity in the county stands at 60.1 per cent against his closest challenger Chris Obure’s (Jubilee Party) 16.9 per cent.
The two are the main contenders in the Kisii gubernatorial contest that has drawn eight aspirants.
Other candidates in the battle for the county’s coveted seat include Kenya National Congress’ Manson Nyamweya whose approval rating stood at 5.8 per cent and Charles Bwagasi of CMD (3.3 per cent).
Others are PPK’s Kepha Mogeni (0.6 per cent) Independent candidate Samuel Nyachaya (0.5 per cent) and MCCP’s Boniface Omboto who received an approval rating of 0.2 per cent.
2.9 per cent of those interviewed said they had not yet decided on who to vote for governor.
The survey was conducted after 1,350 people were sampled out of the 539,603 registered voters and interviewed between June 30 and July 10.
Ongwae is riding on what he describes as his good development record and closeness to opposition leader Raila Odinga to give his opponents an edge as the August 8 elections near.
In the race for the senatorial position, ODM’s Samson Ongeri is enjoying lead with an approval rating of 36.9 per cent against Jubilee’s Charles Nyachae who joined politics after leaving the Constitution Implementation Commission.
Others in the senatorial contest are PDP’s Omingo Magara (15.1 per cent), Ford Kenya’s Samwel Okemwa (3.1 per cent) ELP’s Benayo Nyamwega (2.1 per cent) and KNC’s Richard Minyega (1.1 per cent).
Richard Mokua (KSC), Issac Onyancha (Independent), Justus Ragusu (NLP), Kennedy Ombati of Labour Party Kenya and Vincent Gekone (PEP) attracted an individual approval rating that is less than 1 per cent. 6.8 per cent of the respondents said they were not yet decided on who to vote for.
In the battle for the woman rep position, stands Jubilee’s Dorice Aburi (51.9 per cent) and ODM’s Janet Ongera (29.4 per cent). The other nine candidates scored less than five per cent each.