Wiper Party candidate Wavinya Ndeti who has benefited from the combined support of NASA with nearly all the principals and Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho pitching tent in Machakos for her is inching closer to beating incumbent governor Dr. Alfred Mutua.
In March, Dr. Mutua’s popularity was in the highs of 80% while Wavinya was polling less than 15% but a new poll by TIFA now places Wavinya at 35% while Mutua’s popularity has reduced to 59%.
Both Mutua and Wavinya dispute the polls.
Considering that current Deputy Governor Benard Kiala who was in the race as an independent candidate has dropped out and thrown his weight behind Wavinya, and with fortunes of the Wiper Party increasing in the region, Mutua’s re-election is now un-assured.
The other player in Machakos politics, Senator Johnston Muthama, has also turned around to support Wavinya, albeit grudgingly, following intervention by NASA Coalition Leader Raila Odinga.