Kakamega incumbent senator and Amani National Congress (ANC) party candidate for Kakamega contest, Cleophas Malala is the most preferred candidate to secure victory in forthcoming August 9, election.
According to Mizani Africa survey, Kenya Kwanza candidate Cleophas Malala would floor Azimio – One Kenya candidate Fernandez Barasa of ODM if elections were held today.
Mizani Africa’s July 18th, 2022 research indicated that Malala enjoys 45.2 per cent support of the electorates while his main challenger, Fernandez Barasa of ODM commands 43.1 per cent. The paltry margin of 2.1 per cent has projected a two horse in the gubernatorial race, pitching Kenya Kwanza and Azimio – One Kenya.
Senator Cleophas Malala
United Democratic Party’s candidate Cyrus Jirongo wielded 5.3 per cent as Michael Osundwa garnered 3.2 per cent.
The survey also established that 2.0 per cent voters are still stumbling on the fence and yet to decide on where to cast their votes.
Other candidates in the race attained 1.2 per cent support of the voters.Â
This follows the previous polls where the ODM candidate Fernandez Barasa has been enjoying vast and significant support from the region especially after the incumbent governor Wickliffe Oparanya endorsed him for the seat under Azimio – One Kenya.
Lugari MP Ayub Savula of Democratic Action Party – Kenya (DAP-K) bolted out of the race and bowed to deputize Barasa for hotly contested Kakamega seat.
Malala on there other hand received a huge boost after Oparanya’s deputy, Philip Kutima, who had vowed to replace his boss, dropped the bid to support him (Malala).
UDP head Cyrus Jirongo has defied Azimio – One Kenya zoning matrix and maintained to run for the county seat, despite UDP being a constituent party in Azimio – One Kenya.
Barely two days ago, Lugari legislator Ayub Savula had accused Jirongo of sabotaging Azimio plans in Western region, which might give the opponents credit on their political mileage.
“Jirongo aseme tu ukweli kama ako Azimio ama Kenya Kwanza. Because he is sabotaging Azimio deals of zoning Kakamega county and bringing in UDP candidature for Kakamega gubernatorial seat. By doing so, our opponents might axe us from the race since we risk dividing our votes” Savula said.
