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KENYA

Odinga and Ruto look to polls to guide election strategy

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KENYA

Ruto's marathon to the presidency

William Ruto became Kenya's fifth president in September 2022 following a tight race against Raila Odinga, who had enjoyed the backing of outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta. We look back on five years of intrigue, negotiations and last-minute about-turns, which ended in a merciless showdown between the two candidates. [...]

In the run-up to the general election, rival polling institutes and media outlets are churning out figures and predictions that are sometimes at odds with each other. These statistics are being scrutinised closely by the political parties to inform their campaign choices. [...] (648 words)

Published on 06/06/2022 at 05:00 GMT Reading time 3 minutes

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Politics

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KENYA
Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir
Angela Ambitho
Azimio la Umoja
Infotrak Research & Consulting
Ipsos
Kenya Kwanza
Maggie Ireri
Martha Karua
Orange Democratic Movement
Patrick Quarcoo
Radio Africa Group
Raila Odinga
Rigathi Gachagua
Suleiman Shahbal
Tom Wolf
Trends and Insights For Africa
Uhuru Kenyatta
William Ruto

Odinga's plans for diplomacy reform at odds with Kenyatta's legacy

To carry out his international and commercial agenda, presidential candidate Odinga is planning to overhaul the Kenyan diplomatic apparatus. Yet this is a domain in which his scope for manoeuvre is limited while the outgoing president is still in the picture.

KENYA Politics 24/06/2022

Ruto campaign in damage control mode after running mate's gaffes

Deputy President William Ruto's campaign team is exasperated by the failure of his running mate, Rigathi Gachagua, to toe the official line. Communications advisers in the Kenya Kwanza coalition have had to deal with a string of polemics sparked by Gachagua's speeches and by comments on social media by some of Ruto's more vocal allies.

Presidential candidate William Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua (on left).

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Apostolic Bishop Margaret Wanjiru in September 2010. © STR/EPA/MaxPPP

In Focus

KENYA Politics 20/06/2022

Shillings, prayers and votes: democracy in a very religious country

Kenya's top clerics are key pieces on the political chessboard as the country heads for the polls. Both presidential front-runners, are desperate to win the large Pentecostal vote. We delve behind-the-scenes of political preaching and fundraising to explore the role of religion in the campaign.

Kenyan deputy president and presidential candidate William Ruto. © Zuma Press/MaxPPP

Spotlight

KENYA Politics 02/06/2022

Presidential hopefuls battle for media spotlight

Outgoing Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta has rolled out access to his media empire to support his protégé Raila Odinga for president. His main opponent, deputy president William Ruto, is turning to social media as a result.

KENYA Diplomacy 27/05/2022

Kenyatta champions devolution with one eye on presidential election

There was a big turnout of allies of the Kenyan president in Kisumu, the country's third largest city, for the pan-African Africities summit. It was one of his last opportunities to score a diplomatic success before the end of his second and final term, as well as a chance to exert his influence on the imminent presidential election.

The chair of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat (left) and the Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta at opening of the 9th Africities summit in Kisumu on 17 May 2022.

KENYA Infrastructure Politics 23/05/2022

Ruto gambles on reversing Kenyatta reforms to win presidency

The vice-president, at daggers drawn with his former ally, is defying the outgoing head of state by threatening to reverse some of his flagship measures. His bravado has divided his own campaign team.

KENYA Politics 19/05/2022

Intelligence services caution Odinga ahead of Central Kenya tour

Despite having the support of the incumbent leader, presidential hopeful Raila Odinga is facing mistrust in the all-important central Kenya region, where his main rival William Ruto is proving to be much more popular.

Presidential candidate Raila Odinga (R) and his running mate Martha Karua.

KENYA Politics 12/05/2022

Odinga goes for goal to boost his base

Kenyan presidential candidate Raila Odinga, who is in trouble with his coalition, is making an increasing number of appearances with his allies at sporting events.

Raila Odinga (blue hat) with President Uhuru Kenyatta (in red on his right) at the Moi International Sports Centre on 8 May 2022.

KENYA Politics 26/04/2022

Kenyatta and Odinga's dilemma over choice of future deputy president

The outgoing Kenyan president wants to influence the choice of Raila Odinga's running mate in upcoming elections, even if it means accentuating the tensions within their coalition. The decision must be taken before 28 April.

KENYA Business 08/04/2022

Odinga in Mombasa dilemma as business leaders ply pressure Free

The presidential candidate is facing pressure from Mombasa County's business leaders, who want assurances that one of them will become a governor there, putting Odinga, who wants to avoid having to choose between long-time political and financial supporters, in a bind.

Kenyan presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

Spotlight

KENYA Politics 16/02/2022

Risk of discord as Ruto and Odinga's campaign ranks swell

As the two top presidential candidates, deputy president William Ruto and Raila Odinga - now backed by his former rival President Uhuru Kenyatta - ramp up their campaigns, a tug-of-war is emerging behind the scenes between newcomers wanting to make their mark and long-standing advisers.

KENYA Business 13/12/2019

Ruto vies with Kenyatta clan for ownership of Star

The Star daily newspaper, seen as a campaigning vehicle for the 2022 presidential election, is on sale and coveted by both Kenyatta's entourage and his potential successor William Ruto.

KENYA Politics 18/01/2013

Infotrak feels it’s being watched

The pollsters in the opinion research company Infotrak, which places Raila Odinga the winner in the presidential election on 4 March, are worried they are under NSIS surveillance.

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KENYA
Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir
Angela Ambitho
Azimio la Umoja
Infotrak Research & Consulting
Ipsos
Kenya Kwanza
Maggie Ireri
Martha Karua
Orange Democratic Movement
Patrick Quarcoo
Radio Africa Group
Raila Odinga
Rigathi Gachagua
Suleiman Shahbal
Tom Wolf
Trends and Insights For Africa
Uhuru Kenyatta
William Ruto

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This article may be accessed by subscribers and e-wallet holders (USD 12.50)

2 options offered to continue reading

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Odinga's plans for diplomacy reform at odds with Kenyatta's legacy

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Shillings, prayers and votes: democracy in a very religious country

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Odinga and Ruto look to polls to guide election strategy

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This article may be accessed by subscribers and e-wallet holders (USD 12.50)

2 options offered to continue reading

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create a free account

Set up email notifications for these topics

Odinga's plans for diplomacy reform at odds with Kenyatta's legacy

Ruto campaign in damage control mode after running mate's gaffes

Shillings, prayers and votes: democracy in a very religious country

Presidential hopefuls battle for media spotlight

Kenyatta champions devolution with one eye on presidential election

Ruto gambles on reversing Kenyatta reforms to win presidency

Intelligence services caution Odinga ahead of Central Kenya tour

Odinga goes for goal to boost his base

Kenyatta and Odinga's dilemma over choice of future deputy president

Odinga in Mombasa dilemma as business leaders ply pressure Free

Risk of discord as Ruto and Odinga's campaign ranks swell

Ruto vies with Kenyatta clan for ownership of Star

Infotrak feels it’s being watched

Set up email notifications for these topics

First visit

Contacts

Tools

Follow us

A website produced by

Indigo Publications also publishes: