Poll picks senators, former lawmakers as strong candidates for governor seat
A regional survey has shown that two senators and former MPs are emerging as strong governor candidates in Nyanza ahead of the August 9 polls.
The Centre for Research and Governance (CoRG) report released in Nairobi yesterday indicated that Migori Senator Ochillo Ayacko and his Kisii colleague Sam Ongeri are leading their opponents in the contest while their counterpart James Orengo is facing a stormy ride in Siaya.
The survey was conducted between February 7-21. A total of 3,000 respondents across the Nyanza region were engaged. Polls also indicated that Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o stands a high chance of re-election, with former MP Ken Obura as his main opponent.
In Homa Bay, former Kasipul Kabondo MP Oyugi Magwanga would be elected governor should elections be held today. Results show Magwanga would win by 23.6 per cent ahead of Homa Bay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga who would score 20.4 per cent.
Isaiah Ogwe would grab the third position with 20.1 per cent ahead of former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (13.5 per cent) and then ODM chairman John Mbadi (10.5 per cent). Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata would garner 2.7 per cent votes.
“Magwanga had disputed the 2017 election and sought the court’s intervention. Both the High Court and Court of Appeal ruled that there were irregularities in the Homa Bay gubernatorial election only for the findings to be nullified at the Supreme Court,” said Charles Mc’Olonde, Director at CoRG when he released the results at Sarova Stanley Hotel Nairobi, yesterday.
Sail easily
In Migori, Ayacko is ahead with 32.7 per cent votes followed by Dalmas Otieno at 28.3 per cent. The poll says Orengo would be defeated at the ballot by former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo if elections were held now. Gumbo would lead with 40.6 per cent while Orengo would be second with a close 36.5 per cent votes. Former Police Spokesman Charles Owino would garner 15.5 per cent.
Should elections be held today, Nyong’o would sail easily to the top with 39.8 per cent votes followed by former Chief Administrative Secretary for East Africa Community Ken Obura, who would gunner 22.6 per cent votes. Former Governor Jack Ranguma would come third with 21.4 votes.
In Kisii, Ongeri would lead if elections were held today with 34.3 per cent votes followed closely by Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati at 28.1 per cent.
ODM Treasurer Timothy Bosire would be the surprise winner for governor race in Nyamira with 20.5 per cent votes beating Walter Nyambati at 19.6 per cent votes and Ben Momanyi at 16.1 per cent votes as James Gesami comes fourth with 14.8 per cent votes.
The incumbent Amos Nyaribo would come a weak fifth with 13.9 per cent votes.
