[President Uhuru Kenyatta in a past address to the nation. NIS survey reportedly puts his rival Raila Odinga ahead of August polls. Photo/Nation]
A secret NIS survey shows President Uhuru Kenyatta would lose with a significant margin to his main rival and NASA leader Raila Odinga.
Both principals have kicked their campaigns ahead of August polls with Kenyatta keen to use his development record for a reelection.
But an insider within presidency who spoke in confidence says Odinga would beat Kenyatta by 8 percent margin but would fail to get the constitutional threshold hence forcing a repeat.
“All is not well and presidency is much worried with the latest NIS report. Odinga seems to be on pole position by a significant 8 percent margin,” said the insider.
The source added: “Although it’s early, Jubilee will now have to raid NASA strongholds and try to shift paradigm to their favour.”
According to the insider, Odinga would score 48 percent to Uhuru’s 40 percent, a significant contrast to a poll carried by the Star newspaper.
In the Star poll, figures favored Kenyatta who scored 48 percent to Odinga’s 40 percent with opposition reportedly gaining ground in government strongholds.
And Uhuru is in the Coastal region, an area believed to be opposition’s home turf which he is keen to swing in his favour.