Uhuru, Raila in grueling vote-hunt as campaigns enter homestretch

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga share a light moment (Photo: Courtesy)

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his main challenger, Raila Odinga, have busy campaign schedules with barely three weeks to polling day.

The two front runners in the August 8 polls are racing against time to win the hearts and minds of the 19.6 million voters across the country.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has put August 5 as the last day for campaign rallies.

Uhuru is set to visit 14 counties this week while Raila has lined up eight counties for his campaigns.

President Kenyatta on Sunday was in Mombasa, Kilifi, and Malindi as he sought support in regions that have traditionally voted the Opposition.

Campaign stopovers

Uhuru and his deputy, William Ruto, will today and tomorrow hold rallies in Kilifi, Mombasa, Lamu, Kwale, Tana River, and Taita Taveta.

On Thursday, the Head of State will then head to Elgeyo Marakwet to attend the burial of former minister in President Daniel Moi's administration, Nicholas Biwott.

Uhuru and Ruto will the following day pitch camp in Nairobi before heading to Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, and Samburu counties.

Between May 29 and yesterday, Uhuru and Ruto have made more than 400 campaign stopovers in at least 40 counties.

Yesterday the NASA leaders were in Homa Bay. They will move to Malava, Lugari, and Likuyani in Kakamega.

Ruto's backyard

According to the NASA diary, Raila and his team will tomorrow still be in Kakamaga tranversing Butere, Navakholo, Matungu, Mumias East, and Mumias West.

And on Thursday, the leaders will be in Bungoma County before taking their campaign rallies to Ruto's backyard of Rift Valley on Friday, where they will pitch for their election in Nandi Hills and Elgeyo Marakwet.

They will on Saturday hold rallies in Uasin Gishu before winding up the week in Sabatia and Hamisi in Vihiga.