US Pollster Puts Raila Ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta

A new poll by US pollster John Zogby shows that if elections were held today, National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga will defeat President Uhuru Kenyatta. Raila would garner 47.4 percent of the votes cast compared to 46.7 percent for President Uhuru Kenyatta, according to John Zogby's poll commissioned by the opposition NASA.

The poll highlights that concerns about the deteriorating economy and worsening corruption under the Jubilee administration were reasons for the President’s dismal rating .

The survey was conducted between July 8 and 13 in all the 47 counties, with 42% of Kenyans saying the country was headed in the wrong direction.

“If I were the President, I would be worried, nearly 70% of Kenyans think corruption has been more rampant in the last four years including 46% of his supporters,” Zogby said.

The poll shows that 88% link corruption to the high rate of unemployment and social ills like the high cost of living.

Zogby said that 47% of undecided voters considered voting for Raila Odinga compared to 27% for President Kenyatta. Zogby vouched for the accuracy of the poll as he was involved from its conceptualization, terming his team efforts as ‘first-rate’.

“I’ve been involved in thousands of polls like this for many years in a number of countries, including Kenya, of course no poll is perfect but for those who find it convenient to dismiss these results,” Zogby added.