How Raila, Ruto have faired in national opinion polls in 2022
By evans.maritim, July 16, 2022Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his Kenya Kwanza counterpart William Ruto have gained and lost popularity in 2022 respectively if polls by different pollsters are anything to go by.
Raila has been gaining popularity since he announced his presidential bid in March 2022.
Ruto, on the other hand, has been losing it.
When the two candidates picked their running mates in mid-May, Raila’s popularity rose while Ruto’s dwindled.
Here are national opinion polls that have been done this year.
February 17, 2022: TIFA poll
On February 17, TIFA ranked Ruto as the most preferred presidential candidate at 38.7 per cent against Raila’s 27 per cent.
The poll showed Ruto’s popularity had not changed since the last survey in November 2021.
However, Raila’s increased by 4 per cent.
May 5, 2022: TIFA poll
On May 5, the TIFA poll placed Ruto ahead with 39 per cent popularity, followed by Raila at 32 per cent.
According to the poll, Raila’s popularity increased by five per cent compared to Ruto’s 0.3 per cent rise.
TIFA’s Research Analyst Tom Wolf said Raila’s rise in popularity was mainly contributed by the Lower Eastern region, where he had 24 per cent after Kalonzo Musyoka agreed to back his presidential bid.
June 8, 2022: Infotrak poll
According to Infotrak poll released on June 8, Raila led in the overall popularity ratings with 42 per cent, while 38 per cent of those polled endorsed Ruto.
Raila outshone Ruto (29 per cent) in the coastal region at 48 per cent.
According to the poll, Raila would garner 73 per cent of the vote in Nyanza region compared to Ruto’s 12 per cent.
In the North-Eastern region, Raila had 49 per cent, Lower Eastern 41 per cent, Western 48 per cent and Nairobi 50 per cent.
Ruto trailed Raila with 32 per cent in Northern Kenya and Lower Eastern, 12 per cent in Nyanza, 28 per cent in Western and 30 per cent in Nairobi.
On the other hand, Ruto maintained his lead in Mt Kenya region at 52 per cent, while Raila trailed him at 27 per cent.