Why President Uhuru is having sleepless nights over Meru County

dennis kibet

April 12, 2017 12:50 PM

The situation is likely to prove a major headache for President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Meru Governor Peter Munya (right) and NASA leader Raila Odinga chew Miraa (khat) during an Annual Devolution Conference in Meru on April 22, 2016.

Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya will retain his seat as Meru Governor if elections were to be held today.

According to the latest polls by InfoTrak, Munya leads by 41.4%, with Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi coming in second at 29%.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s former top advisor on Education Kilemi Mwiria who recently decamped to Governor Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap would come in third at 6.3%.

However, a large population - 20% - still remains undecided and could tilt the gubernatorial vote either way with the general elections less than four months away.

The opinion poll is likely to prove a major headache for President Kenyatta whose point man in the region Kiraitu, has been instrumental as co-chair of the steering committee, alongside former minister Dr Noah Wekesa, that were tasked with the formation of his 2017 political vehicle that is the Jubilee Party.

Party popularity

However, the Jubilee Party still remains the most popular party in the county with an impressive 55.4%.

Raila's Orange Democratic Party (ODM) comes a distant second at 11.8%.

Governor Munya's Party of National Unity (PNU), the party he took over from former President Mwai Kibaki comes in third at 8.4%.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua's Maendeleo Chap Chap is fourth at 1.0%.

A whopping 22.1% are undecided on their party of choice.

In the race for Senator, Igembe South MP who will run on a Jubilee Party ticket leads the pack with Mugambi Imanyara second at 9.3% and the incumbent Senator Kiraitu third at 3.2%.

The race for the Womans Representative seat is a tightly contested affair with the top two candidates separated by a razor thin difference of 0.1%.

The incumbent Florence Kajuju leads with 35% with Kawira Mwangaza closely second with 34.9%.

Elizabeth Kailemia is a distant third with 3%.

dennis kibet