An opinion poll released by research firm IPSOS on Tuesday revealed that National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga has gained tremendous support in the Rift Valley region.
According to the survey, Odinga's popularity in the vote rich region grew by 12 percent, rising from 20 to the current 32 percent.
Although President Uhuru Kenyatta is still leading with 63 percent, political analysts have warned that the Jubilee Party has reason to worry with support for the party declining in the region.
“For me that 32 percent for Raila, over and above what is happening, Uhuru gaining in the Coast and Western, appears to signal things to come. Jubilee should watch out carefully,” one of the analysts opined.
Several factors have been attributed to Odinga's growing popularity including the poor state of agriculture which has seen the region that largely depends on farming swing to support the Opposition.
To others, the high cost of living, inflation, food insecurity and unfulfilled promises by the government may have cost the Jubilee presidential candidate the tremendous support he enjoyed in the area.
Some analysts have also argued out that the region may not support the Head of State as they did in 2013 due to the suspicion that Mount Kenya region might not support Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 elections.
[caption caption="Opposition leader Raila Odinga welcome new party members who defected from Jubilee"]
[/caption]
A section of leaders from the region led by Kiambu governor William Kabogo and nominated Senator Paul Njoroge have already warned Ruto that support from the region in the 2022 elections is not guaranteed.
A section of Jubilee politicians led by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Bomet gubernatorial aspirant Joyce Laboso have however argued that Odinga has simply inherited the supporters of Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto.
“Whoever is misleading Raila that support is growing should be forgiven. If there is any change, it is that Raila has lost more ground,” they said.
