Kenya Kwanza brigade led by Deputy President William Ruto,Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya Party leader Moses Wetang’ula head to Murang’a county.
Deputy President is heading to Murang’a County in what is seen as to solidify his support base in Central Kenya.
The visit comes after the Murang’a county governor Mwangi Wa Iria announced that he will be in the Presidential race.
Wa Iria a second term Governor was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket.He garnered over 200,000 votes.
Another hurdle that faces Ruto in his efforts to inherit President Uhuru Kenyatta’s support base is the Muranga County Woman Representative Sabina Chege who is a staunch supporter of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party.
The Woman Rep is supporting Azimio La Umoja being led by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Murang’a County has 587,126 registered voters and 1,131 polling stations (2017)
Murang’a has 7 constituencies; Kangema constituency which has 48,730 registered voters,Mathioya Constituency 54,940 registered voters,Kiharu Constituency 111,260 registered voters,Kigumo Constituency 78,481,Maragwa Constituency 96,078,Kandara Constituency 98,633 and Gatanga Constituency 96,004.
In 2017 General elections Jubilee Party,led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto,they garnered 496,567 votes against Raila Odinga’s 846
With President Uhuru Kenyatta supporting Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, and the Wa Iria’s Presidential bid, this will complicate the DP’s Chances of inheriting the support base they enjoyed in 2017.
According to a survey done by TIFA that was conducted between March5-8 and it reached out to 400 voters-both male and female from seven constituencies. 71 percent of the voters said they were backing Ruto while Raila is supported by 16 percent.
Governor Mwangi wa Iria, who has declared interest in the presidency, is supported by one percent while nine percent are still undecided.
“Whether Raila Odinga can close any or much of the gap between them in the remaining five months will be a major challenge, given the vote-rich Mt Kenya region of which Murang’a is part,” Wolf said.
With increased political activities in the country and more specifically Murang’a county, it remains to be seen which coalition will carry the day.