Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka remains the main challenger of President William Ruto in the 2027 State House race, a regional Presidential preference poll by Mizani Africa shows.
The survey shows that Dr Ruto commands the lead at 46.2 percent rating followed by the Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) Party leader at 18.5 percent with Jubilee Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang’i third with a 15.9 percent rating.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua comes fourth with a 6.1 percent rating with other Presidential hopefuls Martha Karua, former Chief Justice David Maraga, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya cumulatively getting nearly 3 percent rating.
With 10 percent of respondents undecided, the survey shows a huge percentage of Kenyans requiring conviction to support either the incumbent President or the candidate (s) who will be fielded by the Opposition.
The poll shows that the 2027 presidential race will largely be determined by coalition building with fielding one candidate seemingly the United Opposition’s only surest way to defeat President Ruto in the 2027 general elections.
“The national picture suggests that 2027 will be shaped by coalition building, regional mobilization and the ability of the leading challengers to convert undecided voters into active support,” Mizani Africa shared.
President Ruto, the survey states, enjoys overwhelming dominance in his strongholds of Rift Valley- 66 percent, North Eastern 75.8 percent and Nyanza 67.3 percent while also posting competitive numbers across Nairobi, Coast and Western regions.
Kalonzo has a 62.5 percent rating in Lower Eastern while Dr Matiang’i remains the favorite in South Nyanza with 72.7 percent command.
Gachagua leads in Mt Kenya with a 33.8 percent rating, followed by Kalonzo and Ruto with 21.9 percent and 19.1 percent respectively.
The survey has elicited mixed reactions with a section of Kenyans questioning its authenticity.
“Where was the data used collected from, please?” Leonard Ekisa posed. “Can you explain to Kenyans how you conduct your polls because I always see your posts but have never seen your team on the ground,” another Jesse Abisheck demanded.
A Kenyan only identified as Heri Tage even asked the polling company to undertake an online survey and compare the findings with the publicized ones.
Joash Juma said “Two interesting findings, one is that if all run at once, then we will have a rerun and Ruto might lose. Two is that all have declared except Natembeya but he is already featuring. Maybe he should decide now what he wants with his Tawe movement.”
On his part Peter Miriu believes a United Opposition will take Dr Ruto home in the 2027 elections. “…if we bring United Opposition votes in one basket and the undecided votes, Ruto ataenda nyumbani na mapema- translated to ‘President Ruto will lose”.
Bernard Mzalendo said though none of the Presidential candidates had attained the constitutional threshold of 50% + 1, President Ruto led with over 25 percent margin, expressing confidence of his reelection.
On his part, Litu Ndunya said “Even in the last elections, you placed Raila Odinga as a frontrunner but…”
