THE STANDARD By Standard Team | March 2nd 2021 at 00:00:00 GMT +0300 ANC Matungu candidate Peter Nabulindo (left) and Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala in Mayoni, Matungu constituency yesterday. [Mumo Munuve, Standard] The two Western by-elections in Matungu and Kabuchai have turned into a popularity contest for top politicians eyeing State House in the 2022 General Election. Focus in the race has shifted to Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga and Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, as their candidates face off in the polls set for Thursday. Dr Ruto, who has fielded candidates in both elections under the United Democratic Movement (UDA), is seeking to gauge his popularity after making forays in the region that has at least 1.9 million registered voters.