[Opposition leader Raila Odinga making entry to Kapsabet stadium on Sunday. A recent survey shows that he is gaining ground in Rift Valley. Photo/Nation]
Despite being perceived as Jubilee party stronghold, the Rift Valley region could boost opposition leader Raila Odinga’s presidential ambitions if at all a survey done by Ipsos Synovate is anything to go by.
In 2013, Odinga then running on Cord ticket was unable to garner even 20 percent of votes from the vote rich region due to DP William Ruto’s influence.
But the Ipsos survey projects that Odinga’s influence in the region has exponentially grown from 20 percent two months ago to 32 percent, a figure that could send Jubilee strategists into drawing board.
Among the counties seems to be withdrawing support for Jubilee include Bomet, Narok, Kajiado, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Samburu and Turkana.
Ever since crowed as NASA presidential candidate, Odinga has held rallies in West Pokot, Baringo and Nandi counties, a move seen as strategy to ‘eat’ into Jubilee strongholds.
NASA has come up with a campaign team led by Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto, Johanna Ng’eno (Emurua Dikir) and Patrick Ntutu (Narok West) which is pushing its agenda in the Rift Valley region.
Although Jubilee party still dominates in the region, analysts say it risks losing to opposition should they fail to address emerging issues such as Mau forest land and the controversial Itare dam.