Raila most preferred candidate for presidency in Nasa, poll shows

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga is the most preferred presidential candidate among Nasa supporters if elections were to be held today, a new opinion poll shows.

The poll by research firm Infotrak, shows Mr Odinga enjoying huge support among Nasa supporters with 68.3 per cent of those sampled in the poll saying they would recommend his candidature for the ticket.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka comes second with 13.1 per cent while Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi is third with 12.3 per cent.

The poll shows Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula, who has abandoned the race for Senate seat in Bungoma, trailing his three co-principals in the race for the presidential ticket at 2.2 per cent while 4.1 per cent of the respondents say they would not vote for any of the four candidates despite their support for Nasa.

Regionally, Mr Odinga draws his support from the Coast at 84 per cent, Nyanza 81 per cent, North Eastern 75 per cent, Nairobi 67.9 per cent, Rift Valley 64 per cent, Western 59 per cent, Eastern 47 per cent and Central 40 per cent.

Mr Musyoka is stronger in Eastern with 39 per cent saying he is their preferred candidate, while Mr Mudavadi is strongest in Central.

“The poll also revealed that a good number of Jubilee supporters prefer Mr Mudavadi as the Nasa flagbearer though we did not ask why,” said Infotrak Executive Director Angella Ambitho.

Ms Ambitho said that the number of undecided voters was also high, adding that it was an opportunity for political parties to rebrand in order to attract their attention.

PREFERRED CANDIDATE

When the pollster asked Jubilee Party supporters who their preferred Nasa candidate was, 27.3 per cent said Mudavadi while 26.5 pc said Mr Odinga. 24.6 pc of those sampled preferred Mr Musyoka.

Nasa supporters who thought Mr Odinga is best placed to fly their flag cited his experience and track record as his strongest attributes while those who preferred Mr Musyoka said he is the most peaceful of all the candidates.

Those in support of Mr Mudavadi reason that he ranks higher in terms of integrity than the other three while those who support Mr Wetang’ula single out his party’s manifesto.

“When we asked them about qualities that make them prefer some of the candidates, on Mr Odinga, experience and track record is what is cited by many, but he is also ranking very low on integrity,” Ms Ambitho said.

The poll did not explain why respondents had a low opinion of Mr Odinga on integrity despite featuring in much fewer scandals. Nasa experts working on the nominations have profiled the four candidates detailing their strengths and weaknesses.

Findings also revealed that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party is the most popular party with 36.4 per cent, ODM follows with 22 per cent, Wiper 3.4 per cent, Ford-Kenya 1.0 per cent, and Chama Cha Mashinani 0.8 per cent.

The poll was carried out between February 24 and March 2 and sampled 1,500 respondents.