Raila maintains lead in new opinion poll

By Vitalis Kimutai

A new opinion poll shows Prime Minister Raila Odinga is still the preferred presidential aspirant.

Raila enjoys 39.50 per cent support among the voters nationally, according to the poll conducted by PollKenya, which was released Friday at a Nairobi hotel.

Deputy Prime Minister and Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta trails Raila at 26.80 per cent, according to the results. Eldoret North MP William Ruto, the de facto United Republican Party (URP) leader, is ranked third in the poll at 17.10 per cent.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka performed dismally, with only 6.50 per cent. Gichugu MP Martha Karua garnered 4.40 per cent, while Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth has 1.40 per cent.

Other presidential hopefuls – Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju and Gachoga MP Mutava Musyimi were not captured.

Mr Sammy Karoney, a director at Eskay Communications, which owns the research company, said the poll was conducted using interactive system that allows direct data capture.