Two separate polls conducted by different firms have put Uhuru Kenyatta’s Presidency in the red.
The first poll conducted by Radio Africa Group shows NASA Presidential candidate Raila Odinga has narrowed the gap between him and Uhuru judging by poll results from a similar poll in June.
The Radio Africa poll as published by the Star puts Uhuru at 49 per cent while Raila trails closely at 44 per cent.
The five per cent margin is barely enough for either of the candidates to be declared round one winner. It suggests a run-off.
Seven per cent are undecided in the Radio Africa poll.
The second poll is internal, commissioned by NASA and has been done by an American firm.
It puts Raila in the lead with 47.4 per cent while Uhuru comes in second with 46.7 per cent.
The NASA commissioned poll further reveals that 42% of Kenyans feel Jubilee has steered the county to the wrong direction and only 36 per cent are alright with the country’s leadership.
“Unemployment tops voters’ concern at 56 percent, followed by corruption at 42 percent. The huge majority from both sides believe corruption has a large or moderate impact on unemployment (88 percent), cost of living (88 percent) and shortage of food (82 percent),” reads part of the internal poll report.
On corruption, 69 per cent of those polled feel the vice has deteriorated and reached alarming levels.
Of the undecided, 47 per cent of them will vote for Raila while 27 per cent of the same lot will vote for Uhuru.
Alarming though for Uhuru is that his percentages in Rift Valley will go down compared to 2013.
In 2013, he got 86 per cent from his Deputy William Ruto’s backyard but with NASA forays in the recent parts, he may not get the number.
For example, in Bomet County-home turf to Isaac Ruto, a NASA principal, Uhuru got 92% in 2013 but currently, the poll suggest he would manage 61 per cent.
However, Uhuru remains a favourite candidate for the youths aged between 18-24: 49 per cent would vote for him while the same youths in the 18-24 age bracket would vote for Raila.
Those in the age bracket of 25-28; 48 per cent would vote for Uhuru against Raila’s 45 percent.
But Raila enjoys support from those aged between 30-34. He ranks at 49 per cent against Uhuru’s 44 per cent.