From: Nicholas Mireri

[LATEST] Kibaki leading in latest opinion poll

Story by CHURCHILL OTIENO
Publication Date: 7/13/2007

President Kibaki remains ahead of the race to State House but ODM-Kenya's Raila Odinga has made significant gains, according to the latest Steadman opinion poll released today.

The poll says were Presidential elections to be done today, the incumbent would retain the seat managing 45 per cent of votes with Mr Odinga coming second with 25 per cent.

Other ODM-Kenya candidates would then follow in the order Kalonzo Musyoka (11 per cent), Musalia Mudavadi (3 per cent) while Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto would tie at 2 per cent.

Notable in the results is that President Kibaki's ratings have dropped by six points while Raila's have enjoyed an eight point boost. Most of the other aspirants have dropped marginally.

The poll was conducted across all eight provinces by the Steadman Group research firm during the last week of June and got responses from 2,025 people.

Its findings show that ODM-Kenya continues to be the most popular party, with its ratings growing from by four points to 38 per cent in the last three months. The Narc-Kenya party, which currently has the loyalty of most Cabinet ministers and pro-Government MPs, comes second at 21 per cent.

The party that brought President Kibaki to power, Narc, is third with 13 per cent.

All other political parties scored less than 10 per cent while 12 per cent of respondents said they were undecided on what party to back.