Results of a survey released yesterday indicate that former Rift Valley Regional Co-ordinator George Natembeya is the most popular candidate in the race for the next Trans Nzoia governor while Senator Irungu Kang’ata is also enjoying the same status in Murang’a.

Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati is also ahead in the battle for the Kisii governorship.

With 24 days to the elections, polls conducted by Trends and Insights for Africa (Tifa) in the counties, show that the trio could win the seats if their popularity extends to the August 9 polls.

Natembeya quit the post in January to vie for the seat and picked Democratic Action Party Kenya as his outfit. The party is associated with Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa who hails from the county. The polls done on diverse dates between June 28 and July 7, found Natembeya enjoys 56 per cent support followed by the main challenger, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa (21 per cent), who is vying on a Ford Kenya ticket. Third is Wilfred Muraya with 2 per cent. The number of undecided candidates stands at 17 per cent.

Since he launched his campaign, he has faced opposition from Kenya Kwanza leaders who have accused him of being a dictator asking residents not to risk electing him.

Recently, Deputy President William Ruto asked the voters not to vote for Natembeya saying he was divisive. “Don’t elect someone who has been calling other communities names,” Ruto told the residents when he was on a campaign trail in the area.

Serving his people

Natembeya had earlier warned leaders residing outside the county to desist from insulting him saying he was only interested in serving his people.  “They have been insulting me all over because they know I am here to take the people of Trans Nzoia to the table they have been enjoying alone. No one should come from Nandi, Uasin Gishu or Elgeyo-Marakwet to tell us how we should live. We have all the communities in this country living here,” said Natembeya.

For the Senate, former Senator Henry Ndiema (Ford Kenya) is in a dead heat with Allan Chesang of UDA at 24 per cent while DAP-K’s Joshua Werunga is third at 7 per cent. However, 37 per cent of voters are yet to decide who they want to represent in the House.

In the Murang’a, Kang’ata of UDA has 58 per cent support, followed by Jamleck Kamau (Jubilee 13 per cent), Wairagu Wa Maai (DP, 5 per cent) and Irungu Nyakera (Farmers Party, 3 per cent). For the race to replace Kang’ata in the Senate, Joe Nyutu (UDA) is leading followed by former Senator Kembi Gitura (Jubilee, 9 per cent) and others.

In Kisii, Arati, who is vying on ODM, is ahead of a crowded field despite shifting his political ambitions from Nairobi to the county. He has 66 per cent support followed by UDA candidate Ezekiel Machogu. Senior politicians from the area lined up for the seat are behind with Senator Sam Ongeri (DAP-K) polling at 2 per cent, former Senator Chris Obure (Jubilee) at 3 per cent, and former South Mugirango MP Manson Oyongo (KNC, 2 per cent).