The Jubilee Party and the National Super Alliance (NASA) are warming up to a hot contest that has been scheduled for August 8, following the conclusion of the mass voter registration exercise.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Tuesday announced the figures of the registered voters.
The polls body will, however, clean up the voter register which might lead to a drop in the current figures.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said they registered 3.7 million new voters falling short of their 6 million target.
With exactly 166 days left for Kenyans to go to the ballot to choose their next President, the two key political outfits have identified their strongholds and the swing vote counties.
NASA’s perceived strongholds are; Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Kakamega, Vihiga and Bungoma.
Other counties where NASA is expected to win are Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira counties.
Jubilee on the other hand has listed its strongholds as Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Murang'a counties.
The ruling coalition could also win in Kiambu, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Laikipia, Nakuru, Kericho and Bomet counties.
The total number of registered voters in pro-Jubilee counties is 7,437,420, while those of Nasa zones is 7,043,631.
It is, however, clear that NASA and Jubilee have agreed on a list of counties that will be key battle grounds or swing vote counties.
Political analysts say these counties will determine who will become Kenya’s next President.
The swing vote counties are (with the number of newly registered voters) – Nairobi (461,346), Kajiado (79,733), Narok (63,650), Trans Nzoia (65,353), Mandera (43,322) and Turkana (34,865).
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, ODM Chairman John Mbadi exuded confidence NASA will beat Jubilee come August 8.
Mbadi said according to their analysis, NASA will win with a margin of 43, 000 votes.
“Looking at the numbers in absolute terms or percentages and the history of voting patterns, we have done our analysis, the numbers are slightly in our (NASA) favour by 43, 000, in terms of the new voters,” he said.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa however said Jubilee will win, just like they did in 2013.
Ichung’wa said Kisii and Nyamira are swing vote counties, contrary to what Mbadi said.
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