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The battle to control Narok County votes has been evident in the past few days, as the Azimio-One Kenya coalition and Kenya Kwanza Alliance tour the region interchangeably to woo residents.

Analysts have ranked the county among the battle-grounds because voters are perceived to be divided on their preferred candidates.

Data from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) shows that the county has 398, 000 voters, the majority of whom are from Maa-speaking areas. The other big portion originates from Kipsigis community.

On Monday, the Azimio brigade, led by their presidential candidate Raila Odinga, toured the area, promising to boost the region’s economy if they win.

Create jobs

Raila, who was accompanied by Kalonzo Musyoka, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Peter Kenneth, Junet Mohamed, and other leaders, promised to build roads, industries and create job opportunities if elected the president in the August polls.

He told off the Kenya Kwanza Alliance for alleging that he had advised his supporters to boycott the elections if his requests to IEBC are not met. He clarified that all he wanted were free and fair elections.

“They think we are fearing them. We are not; we are ready for the task because we know Kenyans are behind us and we will win this election with over 70 per cent,” said Odinga at Naroosura in Narok South.

He also toured Olasiti in Narok East Sub-County, where he promised to bring down the cost of living if elected the president of the nation.

“I have been a prime minister for five years and I know where the money is. When I get to office, I will fulfil my promise of giving the most vulnerable families Sh6,000 per month and lower the cost of living. This is a promise I commit to Kenyans,” he said.

Kalonzo, on his part, alleged that the county has lagged behind economically because a few people loot money meant for national development.

Their campaign rally comes barely a week after the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, led by its presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua, toured Narok West Sub-County.

Gachagua was accompanied by Governor Samuel Tunai, Narok Woman Representative Soipan Kudate and a host of Narok leaders. He promised to implement a number of projects in the county if they rise to power after the polls.

The Kenya Kwanza Women Guild, led by Ms Kudate, also held their first meeting in Narok a week ago. They lured women in the county to vote for Deputy President William Ruto, saying he had the agenda of women at heart.

The gubernatorial race in the county is between UDA candidate Patrick Ntutu and ODM candidate Moitalel ole Kenta. They are seeking to replace Governor Tunai, who is completing his second and last term in office.

In the past elections, the majority of seats were garnered by the Jubilee Party, while ODM got only the Narok North parliamentary seat.

 that is occupied by Ole Kenta and the senatorial seat that was won by Senator Ledama Ole Kina.