Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has dismissed recent opinion polls showing Kenya Kwanza presidential flag bearer William Ruto trailing Azimio One Kenya coalition candidate Raila Odinga as manufactured.

A poll released on Monday, July 11, 2012, by Trends and Insights Africa (TIFA), placed Raila ahead in popularity at 42 per cent compared to Ruto’s 39 per cent.

Reacting to the poll, the Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) party leader claimed the survey was sponsored by the Azimio team.

Mutua alleged that Azimio doctored the results, in a deliberate attempt to prepare the ground for Raila to reject the results in the polls slated for August 9.

“I am a believer of opinion polling. However, what we are witnessing is a campaign to create a perception that Raila Odinga is ahead so as to soften the ground to allow for rejection of the elections by Azimio and to force formation of a coalition government,” Mutua said.

According to the county boss, Ruto is much ahead in terms of popularity in the country and their opponents are looking for reasons to bargain for a coalition government.

“Similar script to that used against President Mwai Kibaki. As Kenya Kwanza, we have three constant pollsters who conduct both daily, village and polling station-based ‘dip’ polls and weekly comprehensive polls,” the governor said.

“We know from our data that we are ahead and anticipate to win the election at or neatly 60% of the vote. I, therefore, find the current opinion polls meant to propel up Hon. Raila, not only inaccurate, doctored, and laughable but a desperate attempt at swaying the public.

“It is clear from the way Azimio team members are attacking the IEBC and complaining of the election process that they know they are doing badly.”

He said the defection of CCK and other parties including Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC and Ford Kenya of Moses Wetang’ula to Kenya Kwanza alliance had given Ruto an advantage over Raila in several regions.

“The reality is that with the loss of Raila’s nearly 100% strongholds of Western, Ukambani, Coast and Nairobi, while Dr. Ruto has consolidated his Mt. Kenya, Central, Rift Valley strongholds and harvested by the shifts by myself, Hons. Mudavadi, Wetangula, Kingi and Mvurya that the ground has shifted,” he stated.

He added: “Azimio has the support of the national Government, the so called deep state and dynasty money. However, it is the same Azimio crying foul because they know, Kenya Kwanza and William Ruto are currently set to take over not only State house but majority of seats in Parliament & County Assemblies.”

CALCULATED RELEASE OF DOCTORED OPINION POLLS MEANT TO GIVE AZIMIO A REASON TO REJECT ELECTION RESULTS.

— Dr. Alfred Mutua (@DrAlfredMutua) July 11, 2022

Ruto dismisses TIFA poll

Earlier, Ruto also dismissed the TIFA poll, claiming it was sponsored by his opponents.

“Hawa watu tumewashinda na mbinu zote. Tumewashinda na manifesto, tumewashinda na mpango, tumewashinda na sera, tumewashinda na campaign. Ati wamebaki na mambo mawili, wamebaki na fake opinion poll. Kazi yao ni kuenda kuchora opinion poll ohh sijui nani ako mbele, sijui nani ako mbele…

(These people we have defeated them by all means. We have a better manifesto, we have a better plan, we have a better agenda, and we even have a better campaign strategy. Now they only have two things to do – fake opinion poll. Their work is to concoct opinion polls showing they are ahead of us),” Ruto ranted.

“Wacha kutusumbua na opinion wanainchi wa Kenya wako tayari kuamua tarehe tisa mwezi wa nane. Ama niaje, si nyinyi ndo mutaamua? Kwani wale wanafanya opinion poll kwa maboard room ndo wataamua?

(Stop disturbing us with opinion polls, Kenyans are ready to decide on August 9. Are you not the people who will decide? Or is it those concocting the results of opinion polls in boardrooms who will decide?),” he added.