Ruto leads with 24 percent, Kalonzo at 19 percent as most preferred presidential candidate; TIFA
Ruto leads with 24 percent, Kalonzo at 19 percent as most preferred presidential candidate; TIFA
A new survey by TIFA Research has revealed that President William Ruto remains the most preferred presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to the survey conducted between May 2 and May 11, 2026, Ruto leads the presidential preference race with 24 per cent support, followed by Kalonzo Musyoka at 19 per cent.
The duo are closely followed by former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i at 14 per cent, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna emerging fourth with 10 per cent, closely followed by Rigathi Gachagua, who polled 9 per cent.
TIFA noted that despite President Ruto taking an early lead, the contest is likely to change due to the absence of a united opposition candidate.
‘The 2027 presidential race remains highly fluid, with no single candidate commanding dominant national support. While President William Ruto leads at 24%, the findings show growing competition,” TIFA revealed.
The survey further showed that Ruto’s popularity has risen over the past year, climbing from the teens in previous polls to 24 per cent, while the undecided vote reduced to 15 per cent.
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Regionally, Ruto enjoys the strongest support in Northern Kenya at 48 per cent and Nyanza at 41 per cent, while Kalonzo dominates Lower Eastern with a massive 78 per cent backing.
Matiang’i, on the other hand, posted his best performance in Nyanza at 27 per cent, while Gachagua’s strongest base remains Mt Kenya, where he scored 23 per cent.
Similarly, the survey also revealed that most supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) overwhelmingly favour the Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi faction over the Oburu-led Linda Ground camp.
According to TIFA, 73 per cent of ODM supporters back Linda Mwananchi, while only 24 per cent support the Linda Ground faction that is associated with the broad-based arrangement.
“ODM supporters appear to favour a more independent, people-centred opposition approach rather than closer cooperation with the government,” the report read.
“The strong backing for the Linda Mwananchi faction suggests growing grassroots preference for leaders perceived as defending public interests and holding government accountable.”
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