An opinion poll from a survey conducted by Radio Africa Group has revealed Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino as the frontrunners in the upcoming Nairobi Senate and gubernatorial races.
The survey, conducted from July 25 to 27, shows that Babu and Sifuna hold substantial leads over their competitors. The poll, which surveyed 500 registered voters in Nairobi County, carries a margin of error of ±4.4 per cent.
In the race for governor, Babu Owino has secured 42 per cent of the support, opening a 24-point gap over the incumbent governor, Johnson Sakaja, who polled at just 17.6 per cent.
The survey paints a challenging picture for Governor Sakaja’s administration, with a significant percentage of Nairobi voters rating his tenure as fair or poor
Key issues driving voter concerns include:
· Unemployment and insecurity: Cited by 24 per cent of respondents.
· Rising cost of living: Cited by 20 per cent.
· Garbage collection, sanitation, and infrastructure were also noted but ranked lower in priority.
On the other hand, Senator Edwin Sifuna leads the Senate race with a commanding 47.5 per cent, significantly ahead of Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, who stands at 21.6 per cent.
Sifuna’s lead suggests a strong voter base as he considers defending his seat or possibly aiming for a presidential run, especially with rising calls from leaders in Bungoma.
The poll, however, has also revealed a splintered political dilemma in Nairobi, with Babu Owino, who commands a strong unified opposition base, facing off against multiple candidates associated with the ruling coalition sharing fragmented votes.
In the Senate race, Sifuna’s dominance faces a test against Jalang’o, who is perceived to have influence within the presidential administration.
Ultimately, Nairobi’s political outcome may hinge on whether the UDA faction can unite behind a single candidate or continue to splinter the vote, potentially gifting the race to Babu Owino.