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Latest poll shows UDA aspirant in Budalangi Juma Maloba could upstage incumbent Wanjala in August polls.
The constest for Budalangi legislator seat has been plunged into a tailspin with a fresh UDA signup Alfred Juma Maloba demonstrating tremendous spike in popularity margin.Mr Maloba who recently joined DP William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has sprung head-and-shoulders on top of all candidates running to be Member of Parliament for the constituency including the incumbent Raphael Wanjala of ODM party.
According to opinion polling conducted a fortnight ago across all the four wards in Budalangi constituency a majority of voters said they would vote for Alfred Maloba as MP if elections were held today. 44% of respondents prefer Maloba, while the incumbent Wanjala polled 38%. Another UDA aspirant Mediatrice Wangira was rated at 11%.Other aspirants in the constituency are Chris Nakitari (ODM) 9%, Dismas Musebe (ANC) 5% and Peter Bwire Osogo (ODM) 2%.Another 19% said they were undecided.
The poll conducted in mid March surveyed 879 voters.With about four months to the August elections the incumbent Raphael is trailing behind newcomer Maloba in a seemingly tight race.
Analysts have indicated that Maloba’s astronomical rise emerge from the support base traditionally enjoyed by former Foreign Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary Ababu Namwamba who held the seat for two terms between 2008 and 2017. Namwamba has since announced he will not be seeaking to recapture the seat, instead he will work to popularise William Ruto’s presidential bid in Busia county and the rest of Kenya.
Juma Maloba also enjoys significant support from Bunyala Central and Bunyala South wards which are both considered his home ground.