Kalonzo tops opposition flagbearer poll as Sifuna camp pushes 2027 bid

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has topped a new Mizani Africa poll measuring preferences for a potential opposition presidential flagbearer ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The survey, published on Friday, September 25, 2026, asked respondents which opposition leader they believed would be best placed to replace President William Ruto.

Kalonzo received 37.2 per cent, followed by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna at 19.7 per cent and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i at 12.9 per cent.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua polled at 6.4 per cent, while Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro received 5.1 per cent. Former Chief Justice David Maraga recorded 2.2 per cent, Martha Karua 0.7 per cent and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah 0.4 per cent.

A further 15.4 per cent of respondents said they were undecided.

Kalonzo leads Sifuna in opposition poll

Kalonzo’s 37.2 per cent was 17.5 percentage points higher than Sifuna’s 19.7 per cent in the specific question on the preferred opposition flagbearer.

The results provide a snapshot of voter preferences in the poll rather than a determination of who will ultimately represent the opposition in the 2027 election.

The wider political landscape remains unsettled, with several opposition formations continuing to discuss possible alliances, presidential candidates and coalition arrangements.

Sifuna’s political plans

The poll comes amid efforts by Sifuna’s allies to establish a political vehicle for his presidential ambitions.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said on Thursday, September 24, that Sifuna would use the United Democratic Party (UDP) as his political vehicle in the 2027 presidential contest.

Natembeya, who is associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement alongside Sifuna, said opposition parties would eventually negotiate and seek to agree on a single presidential candidate.

He identified UDP, a party formerly associated with the late politician Cyrus Jirongo, as the platform Sifuna’s camp intends to use.

“We have a political party. It is the United Democratic Party (UDP), Sifuna’s party, which is the one we intend to use in the 2027 general election,” Natembeya said.

Natembeya’s position comes as another opposition grouping associated with Kalonzo has been discussing a possible arrangement in which Kalonzo would lead the presidential ticket and Sifuna could serve as his running mate. Reports have indicated that the group is working towards unveiling such a ticket in October.

Poll results come amid competing opposition plans

The competing proposals illustrate the different approaches being pursued within the opposition ahead of 2027.

Kalonzo’s camp has been holding consultations on a possible joint opposition ticket, while Sifuna’s allies have been working on his political vehicle and broader coalition-building efforts.

Recent polling has also tested possible opposition pairings. A Mizani Africa survey reported by Tuko found the Kalonzo-Sifuna combination received 40.8 per cent support when respondents were asked about preferred opposition tickets.

At the same time, a separate Mizani presidential-preference question placed President Ruto at 38.7 per cent, followed by Kalonzo at 27.5 per cent and Sifuna at 13.2 per cent. The pollster did not disclose its methodology, sample size or margin of error in the report, making those figures a snapshot of stated preferences rather than an election forecast.