• Some 1,024 residents participated in the research conducted between July 5 and 6.
• The poll had a margin error of +/- 4.7 per cent.
Image: file
Isiolo residents will elect Godana Doyo as their governor if election were held today, a new poll has shown.
According to the TIFA poll, Doyo, an independent candidate, is the most popular at 45 per cent followed by Nairobi majority leader Abdi Guyo of Jubilee who is trailing at 34 per cent.
Former EACC boss Halakhe Dida of ODM follows at four per cent with Hussein Tene of UDA at two per cent.
The number of undecided voters in the region stands at 11 per cent, while two per cent of the respondents do not support any candidate.
In the presidential race, Azimio's Raila Odinga is leading with 50 per cent, followed by Deputy President William Ruto at 42 per cent.
George Wajackoyah of Roots Party comes in a distant third with three per cent.
In the Senate race, incumbent Fatuma Adana Dullo of Jubilee is leading at 47 per cent followed by Nuh Mohamed Ibrahim at 26 per cent and Hussein Golicha Roba of NARC Kenya at four per cent.
Ken Mutuma Kaaria of Devolution Empowerment party and Lokitela Ikiara had one per cent each.
Some 1,024 residents participated in the research conducted between July 5 and 6.
The interviews were conducted via telephone.
The poll had a margin error of +/- 4.7 per cent.
Isiolo, which is estimated to have 280,000 people according to IEBC enjoys a unique diversity, hosting almost all the 43 tribes in Kenya.
CLAN FACTOR
Guyo and Doyo are the main contenders in the Isiolo governor race.
However clan and ethnic politics dominate the race to succeed Governor Mohamed Kuti.
Northeastern and upper Eastern counties are hotspots of inter-community and resource-based conflicts.
Communities in these regions face challenges of livestock theft and banditry.
Guyo hails from the Sakuye clan, Doyo (Warjida), Ntoribo (Meru) while Dida is from Karayu.
Doyo who hails from Isiolo's largest Borana community wants to make a comeback, counting on his track record during his 2013-2017 tenure.
“I started from scratch, built the systems and laid a strong foundation. We ensured our people had basic needs, improved health services and water provision with limited resources,” he said.
Despite coming from a minority community, Guyo is banking on his 15 years of leadership experience in Nairobi saying he wants to bring his success to Isiolo.
The 41-year-old city politician has so far received the support of the incumbent Kuti who endorsed him in April and the Jubilee party.
"My leadership will right the wrongs and provide the mature leadership our county is in dire need of. My administration will ensure title deeds are issued within the first year in office.
"I will also lobby for tarmacking of Isiolo-Merti road, to open up the region to economic opportunities and ease transport,” Guyo said.
Dida is using the anti-graft card to court voters, saying he is the right person to fix the ills bedevilling the county.
He said Raila should establish an institution of higher learning in the region to serve as the pride of Isiolo and boost education levels.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)