•Governor Anne Kananu comes third at seven per cent while businessman Richard Ngatia would be fourth at six per cent.
•Former Governor Mike Sonko would get only 5 per cent, former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru four per cent.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Senators Johnson Sakaja, Irungu Kang'ata and Woman Representative Florence Mutua are ahead of their rivals in the governor race in Nairobi, Murang'a and Busia.
A survey conducted by TIFA suggests if the polls were held today, Sakaja would win by 23 per cent of votes.
He would be followed by Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi at 14 per cent
Governor Anne Kananu comes third at seven per cent while businessman Richard Ngatia would be fourth at six per cent.
Former Governor Mike Sonko would get only five per cent and former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru four per cent.
The survey shows 23 per cent of voters are still undecided.
“Whilst Johnson Sakaja is currently the most popular aspirant for governor, the combination of his modest lead and the number of other contestants suggest the outcome of this election is still unclear,” lead researcher Tom Wolf said.
The poll said the majority 75 per cent of Nairobians are still undecided about whom to vote for as Nairobi Senator.
“The fact that some respondents are expressing a preference for Sakaja indicates most voters will need more clarity as to who all the candidates will be before they decide whom to vote for,” Wolf said.
Eight per cent however said they will support Sakaja, lawyer Karen Nyamu (four per cent), nominated MP Maina Kamanda (three per cent) and ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna (two per cent).
The survey said Esther Passaris, the incumbent, is far more popular than Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga for the Nairobi Woman Rep seat.
Thirty four per cent said they are supporting Passaris while nine per cent are backing Omanga.
In Murang'a, Kang’ata is nearly twice as popular in the contest for governor as his nearest challenger, former MP Jamleck Kamau.
Forty four per cent of respondents said they are supporting Kang'ata with 23 per cent backing Kamau.
Water PS Joseph Wairagu alias Wairagu Wa Maai got seven per cent, former Planning PS Irungu Nyakera ( four per cent) with undecided making 18 per cent.
In the senatorial race, 22 per cent of the respondents said they would choose businessman Joe Nyutu while 15 per cent preferred former Senator Kembi Gitura.
Three per cent said they were supporting Africa Policy Institute chief executive, Peter Kagwanja and three per cent were behind renowned gospel singer Hellen Kigia.
“While Nyutu has a significant lead over his nearest competitor, former Senator Kembi Gitura, the fact that nearly half of Murang’a respondents declare themselves as undecided suggest this outcome of this contest remains very uncertain,” Wolf said.
Radio presenter Waithira Muithirania is the most preferred Woman Rep aspirant.
“However over half of the respondents don’t know or are undecided on the preferred women rep aspirant,” the survey said.
Lactation educator Waithira Kibinda scored seven per cent while only four per cent said they would be supporting the current Woman Rep Sabina Chege.
In Busia, the poll shows Mutua would win the race with 31 per cent with Nambale MP John Sakwa Bunyasi coming second at 19 per cent.
Former Funyula legislator Paul Otuoma would get 17 per cent of the votes, the poll shows.
Six per cent of the respondents said they would vote for Senator Amos Wako for the top county seat while 12 per cent were undecided.
Activist Okiya Omtatah is more than four times as popular as his nearest potential rival for the position of Busia senator at 43 per cent against Karen Kasamu’s 10 per cent.
“A substantial proportion (15 per cent) declined to name any preferred senatorial contestant because they are yet to know who (all) the candidates will be on the ballot,” Wolf said.
Catherine Omanyo is the most preferred Woman Rep aspirant but attracts only one-fifth of all respondents (20 per cent).
“However, one-third of respondents (33 per cent) say they either don’t know who the candidates are or will be or are undecided as to whom they prefer, suggesting the outcome of this remains far from certain,” Wolf said.
The survey was conducted between February 3-9 and 1,541 respondents were interviewed with a put at +/- 2.49 per cent.
Interviews were conducted on the phone and face-to-face in Swahili (mainly) and English.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris