Poll: ODM governor candidates top in Mombasa, Kilifi and Tana River
Raila Odinga’s ODM stands the best chance of winning three governor seats in the Coast region in the coming elections, a poll released yesterday indicates.
A survey conducted by Infotrak Research and Consulting indicated that the party, which is a key member of the Azimio One Kenya Alliance, will win in Mombasa, Kilifi and Tana River counties.
The polls held between July 9 and 19, however, found that most of the voters were undecided on who to vote for governor.
In Mombasa, ODM governor candidate Abdulswamad Nassir is ahead by 50 per cent followed by Mike Sonko of Wiper. Sonko has since been disqualified after the Supreme Court ruled he was ineligible to run for office because of his impeachment as Nairobi governor.
UDA’s Hassan Omar came third with nine per cent while William Kingi of PAA polled one per cent.
In Kwale, UDA candidate Fatuma Achani topped with 31 per cent. Achani is deputy to outgoing Governor Salim Mvurya since 2013 and is banking on his support as she seeks to become the first female governor of the county.
She is followed closely by ODM’s Hamadi Boga (25 per cent) while Lunganzi Chai of PAA was third (10 per cent). Former Cabinet minister Chirau Mwakwere (Wiper) was fourth at three per cent.
In Kilifi, where a stiff contest to replace outgoing governor Amason Kingi is anticipated, ODM’s candidate Gideon Mung’aro is ahead with 32 per cent, UDA’s Aisha Jumwa of UDA is second with 21 per cent while PAA’s George Kithi is third (9 per cent). The poll also found that 25 per cent of respondents were yet to decide.
In Tana River, the incumbent Governor Godhana Dhadho of ODM polled highest with 35 per cent, former Governor Hussein Dado was second (19 per cent) and former MP Abdi Nuh came third (16 per cent).
In Lamu, former Governor Issa Timamy of Amani National Congress emerged top in the survey but was followed closely by his successor Fahim Twaha of Jubilee.
In Taita Taveta, it is a tight race between incumbent Governor Granton Samboja (Jubilee) and Mwatate MP Mwadime Andrew, an independent candidate.
Mwadime topped at 24 per cent with Samboja second (21 per cent) although 22 per cent are yet to make a decision. Former Governor John Mruttu (UDA) is third with 11 per cent. Former Senator Dan Mwazo is fourth (seven per cent).
