Smaller players fight on despite low poll ratings

Opinion polls have rated them low for months and some rarely move around in choppers to address campaign rallies yet they are firmly in the presidential race.

In the latest survey by Infotrak released last month, Prof James Kiyiapi managed 0.7 per cent support, Raphael Tuju 0.7 per cent, Water Minister Charity Ngilu 0.4 per cent, while Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi managed 0.1 per cent.

Other presidential aspirants such as Trade Minister Moses Wetangula, Lands Assistant Minister Wakoli Bifwoli and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo among others were not rated.

Political experts say although some of the presidential aspirants do not organise huge rallies and attractive road shows as has been the tradition of leading contenders, their strategies of addressing smaller groups could be effective.

“Some of those who attend major rallies do so out of curiosity but meeting parents at a school or church members for example is effective because they attend with a purpose,” says Maseno University lecturer Martin Mulwale. Dr Mulwale further says in a competitive election where chances of no clear winner in round one are slim, each aspirant, whether rated high or low in opinion polls, is critical when it comes to post-election pacts.

Campaign strategies

Most of the aspirants not engaging in big rallies and meet-the people tours resort to indoor meetings with manageable numbers, seminars and campaigns using ICTs among others. Kiyiapi and Wetangula have been dismissive of opinion polls, saying they are not reflective of the true situation. Kiyiapi recently said opinions are not genuine and don’t represent the true picture of what Kenyans want in leadership.

Ironically, even those who are rated among the leading pack like Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Gichugu MP Martha Karua have not had kind words for pollsters, always questioning the motive of their ratings and those behind their commissioning.

Kalonzo was in third place in last month’s Infotrak poll with 9.6 per cent support, slightly ahead of William Ruto with 9.4 per cent. Mudavadi’s support jumped in May to 8.5 per cent but has now settled at 8.4 per cent for June, indicating his bandwagon may have slowed down. Martha Karua was next at 5.0 per cent then Peter Kenneth at 2.3 per cent and Eugene Wamalwa at 1.2 per cent. The first two in the poll were PM Raila Odinga with 36.6 per cent and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta with 21.9 per cent.

Kiyiapi, who is seeking the presidency on his Restore and Build Kenya party has been to several parts of the country seeking votes, as has Mutava of the Democratic Party.

Kiyiapi has been to Nyanza, Central Kenya, Eastern and parts of Rift Valley to popularise his bid.

This weekend, he will be in Magadi in Kajiado County and Nairobi County to seek more following.

Mutava will this weekend inspect irrigation and electricity projects in Wachoro, Makutano, Makima and Kiambere areas in his constituency and will today attend a church service in Magadi, Kajiado County. Tuju’s Party of Action targets the youth votes while Jirongo has settled on the Federal Party of Kenya. It is expected Ngilu, the Narc leader, who is yet to launch her  bid officially, will be doing so in two weeks.