Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto has harshly disputed the latest Trends and Insights Africa (TIFA) opinion polls report released on Monday.
TIFA’s findings suggest the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya presidential hopeful Raila Odinga is leading the race ahead of the August general election.
Mr. Odinga is slightly leading the presidential race with 42% ahead of Ruto’s 39%, a revelation that Ruto has asked his supporters to ignore.
Speaking on Monday in Matungu, Kakamega county, Ruto maintained that Kenya Kwanza is popular than Azimio la Umoja, further accusing Azimio of manufactured polls.
“They are only left with opinion polls. They have gotten a certain white man to manipulate the polls putting one candidate ahead of the other.”
“I want too urge you not to worry. We have defeated them (Azimio) in everything; in our agenda, our manifesto and plans,” Ruto said.
Ruto’s reaction came shortly after the Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader Dr Alfred Mutua also poked holes in the TIFA opinion polls, saying they are meant to give Azimio a reason to reject election results.
“I am a believer of opinion polling. However, what we are witnessing is a campaign to create a perception that Raila Odinga is ahead so as to soften the ground to allow for rejection of the elections by Azimio and to force formation of a coalition Government,” Mutua said.
“Similar script to that used against President Mwai Kibaki. As Kenya Kwanza, we have three constant pollsters who conduct both daily, village and polling station based “dip” polls and weekly comprehensive polls.
“We know from our data that we are ahead and anticipate to win the election at or neatly 60% of the vote. I therefore, find the current opinion polls meant to propel up Hon. Raila, not only INACCURATE, DOCTORED, laughable but a desperate attempt at swaying the public.
“It is clear from the way Azimio team members are attacking the IEBC and complaining of the election process that they KNOW they are doing BADLY.”
Both Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya and Kenya Kwanza political outfits claim to be in the lead heading into the August 9th general election.
