Ruto leads 2027 poll as Sifuna emerges second in new survey

President William Ruto has topped a new opinion poll on the 2027 presidential race, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna emerging as the second-most preferred candidate.

The survey, conducted by the Politrack Research Team between September 15 and 25, 2026, asked potential voters across Kenya who they would support if the presidential election were held at the time of the poll.

According to the findings, Ruto received 45.1% of the responses, while Sifuna recorded 19.6%.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka followed with 10.3%, while former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i received 7.2%.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua registered 6.0% support.

Sifuna records strong showing

Sifuna’s 19.6% rating placed him ahead of several established political figures included in the survey.

The Nairobi senator has in recent months become increasingly active in opposition mobilisation, particularly through the Linda Mwananchi movement and its grassroots activities across the country.

However, the poll represents a measurement of respondents’ preferences during the September 15–25 fieldwork period and does not establish how voters will ultimately behave in 2027.

The survey also found that 8.4% of respondents were undecided.

Other candidates recorded smaller percentages, with Prof George Wajackoyah at 1.1%, while former Justice and presidential hopefuls Martha Karua and David Maraga each received 0.8%.

Siaya Governor James Orengo polled at 0.4%, while businessman Jimmy Wanjigi recorded 0.3%.

Politrack explains survey methodology

Politrack said the survey was conducted nationwide using a text-based technology platform through which sampled potential voters were invited to participate and respond to questions at their convenience.

A total of 20,419 people participated in the exercise.

The research firm reported a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

As with any opinion poll, the findings reflect the views of the respondents who participated during the specified period and may change as political alliances, candidate nominations and voter preferences evolve.

Political activity intensifies ahead of 2027

The survey comes amid increased political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, with potential presidential candidates stepping up grassroots mobilisation and political formations exploring possible alliances.

Ruto has continued touring different parts of the country, attending project launches, commissioning infrastructure and inspecting government projects as his administration works to consolidate support ahead of the next election.

Meanwhile, opposition figures have been expanding their own grassroots networks as they seek to establish political alliances and potential presidential campaigns.

Tribunal orders reservation of Linda Mwananchi name

Separately, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has overturned the Registrar of Political Parties’ decision to decline the reservation of the name Linda Mwananchi Movement.

The Tribunal ordered the Registrar to reserve the name within seven days after finding that the refusal lacked legal justification.

The applicants had challenged the Registrar’s decision not to reserve the name and its proposed abbreviation, LLM, arguing that the move interfered with their participation in the formation of a political party.