Ruto Stretches Lead Against Raila In New Poll

Deputy President William Ruto has shown more likely signs of beating Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate, Raila Odinga in the first round of the August 9 general elections, a new poll by Intel Research Solutions (IRS) has shown.

The poll on Monday, August 1 revealed that Ruto has a lead of 53.1 per cent against Raila's 42.7 per cent. However, for Ruto, this is a rise from 50.5 per cent in the previous poll and for Raila, a drop from 44.2 per cent in the previous poll by the same firm.

The poll continued to reveal that George Wajackoyah of the Roots party was third with a 1.2 per cent popularity rating, with Agano Party presidential candidate David Mwaure Waihiga having 0.2 per cent.

New poll showing Ruto's lead over Raila Odinga. /IRS

IRS disclosed that Ruto and his running mate, Rigathi Gachagua had led in the past four rankings compared to Raila and his running mate, Martha Karua.

The Kenya Kwanza candidate was ruthless in dominating the Mt Kenya East region with a 77.1 per cent rating compared to 19.2 per cent for the former Prime Minister.

Ruto also reigned supreme over Raila in Mt Kenya West, Mt Kenya Diaspora, Central Rift and Western Kenya with 73.6 per cent, 58.5 per cent, 85.5 per cent and 48.2 per cent respectively.

However, Raila was dominant in South Eastern Kenya, Maa Rift, Luo Nyanza South Nyanza and Nairobi with 51.9 per cent, 49.7 per cent, 86.8 per cent, 53.1 per cent and 52.5 per cent respectively. 

Raila held his lead in the Coast region with 51.7 per cent while Ruto followed with 42.5 per cent. In Northern Kenya, the Deputy President led with 53.7 per cent against Raila's 43.2 per cent.

IRS further noted that more Kenyans supported Kenya Kwanza than Azimio coalitions with 50 per cent and 48.1 per cent respectively.

DP Ruto was supported by more Kenyans between the ages of 18-25 than Raila who got 39.6 per cent. Both genders vouched for the deputy president (52.7 per cent v 43.4 per cent for female and 53.6 per cent v 42.7 per cent for the male counterpart).

IRS conducted the survey between Saturday, July 23 to Thursday, July 28, against a sample size of 29,857 across the 47 counties.

The previous poll was done through Electronic (Database SMS Broadcasting), that is 24,599 respondents across Kenya were interviewed through SMS.