Deputy President William Ruto is still leading as the most preferred presidential in the Mt Kenya region.

According to the recently released polls by Mizani Africa, Ruto came first in the popularity polls with a percentage of 58.2.

The DP is closely followed by ODM leader Raila Odinga at  27.1 per cent and ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi stepping in the third position with a popularity of 5.2 per cent.

 Justifying Ruto’s lead, the poll which was conducted between October 1-10 in the 11 Mt Kenya counties said the second in command has been consistent in his engagements with people on the grassroots.

“ Yes we understand that ODM leaders are making inroads in the vote-rich region but from our findings we have established that most of the young people are still stuck with Deputy President while the elderly have decided to back Odinga,” CEO Mizani Africa Haron Kiriba. Raila has intensified his tours in the Mt Kenya region as he tries to woo the region ahead of the 2022 polls.

 In the popularity ranking of candidates preferred for DP, NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua has emerged as the best choice for Deputy President in the Mt Kenya region.

Karua was ranked the most likely female candidate to deputize the president with a popularity ranking of 34.8 per cent.

Agnes Kagure and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru closely follow the NARC Kenya leader with a popularity ranking of 31.9 and 14.9 per cent respectively.

 In September, Mizani Africa also named Karua as the most influential politician from the Mt Kenya region followed by governor Waiguru.

 According to the September polls, Karua led with 35.3 per cent followed by Waiguru who gathered a popularity score of 18.7 per cent.

 Karua’s latest popularity score comes after she was announced as the Mt Kenya Forum spokesperson over seven political parties.

In terms of the best male candidate to deputise Ruto, the poll found speaker of the national assembly Justin Muturi as the best leading with 28.7 per cent.

Muturi was followed closely by former Kiambu Governor  William Kabogo with 21.7 per cent and Agriculture Minister Peter Munya came third with 17.6 percent.