It is roughly two weeks remaining before Kenyans go the polls. The contestants are not slowing down on their campaigns, as they try to cover as much ground as they can.
Odinga, the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya presidential candidate, is keen on shrinking the DP’s perceived lead in the Mt Kenya region.
Muranga governor Mwangi Wa Iria says:”Raila will surprise most people in Mt Kenya by getting more than 30 per cent of the votes. There’s a huge number of Mt Kenya residents who feel safe with Raila Odinga as president. My numbers and Martha Karua’s supporters are enough for Baba in Mt Kenya. We represent the future of Kikuyu political leadership.”
On the other hand Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata says: “Raila will lose terribly in the mountain. This government has caused suffering in the region and no amount of persuasion will deliver any vote to him.”
Other regions have their contributions too. For instance Dp Ruto has his allies in Western, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi – doing groundwork in the region that commands some 2.6 million votes. Both have a target to deliver 70 per cent of the Western vote.
On the other hand, Azimio presidential candidate Odinga, has entrusted a team led by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to ensure the region that has solidly backed his previous bids does so one more time.
Dp Ruto has been trying to reap as many votes as possible in Western. The DP is using the same strategy at the Coast, where he is relying on the support of governors Salim Mvurya (Kwale) and Amason Kingi (Kilifi).
Mr Odinga has also deployed a team led by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to keep his traditional base that is worth nearly 2 million votes intact.
Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is Raila’s point man in the Lower Eastern region. The DP intends to grab some 1.7 million votes from the region.
Failure by Mr Odinga to pick Kalonzo as his running mate had an effect in Ukambani.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua said Dr Ruto had made significant stretches in Ukambani. “Currently, four out of every five Ukambani voter says they support William Ruto. There are many other silent supporters. Current polls show that over 40 per cent of Ukambani supports Ruto and Kenya Kwanza, and the number is rising,” he said.
Makueni MP Dan Maanzo has expressed confidence that Azimio would carry the day in Ukambani. “We will deliver Ukambani. We are currently at 85 per cent support, heading to 90,” he said.