Can Anyone Challenge Ruto? Sifuna Emerges as Top Opposition Pick

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has established himself as the leading opposition candidate for the presidency, capturing 19.6 percent support in a fresh survey by Politrack Africa.

President William Ruto continues to command the overall presidential preference, leading the national tally with 45.1 percent.

Presidential Race Standings

The survey, released during a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday, asked respondents who they would vote for if presidential elections took place today.

• William Ruto: 45.1%
• Edwin Sifuna: 19.6%
• Kalonzo Musyoka: 10.3%
• Fred Matiang’i: 7.2%
• Rigathi Gachagua: 6.0%
• Undecided Voters: 8.4%
• Minor Candidates: Prof. George Wajackoyah (1.1%), Martha Karua (0.8%), David Maraga (0.8%), James Orengo (0.4%), and Jimi Wanjigi (0.3%).

National Direction and Government Performance

Public opinion on the country’s trajectory remains sharply split. Approximately 45.2 percent of respondents feel Kenya is moving in the right direction, while 44.6 percent believe it is heading in the wrong direction, leaving 10.2 percent uncertain.

Assessments of government sector performance revealed mixed reactions from the public:

• Top Performing Sectors: Infrastructure (roads) and affordable housing led positive reviews at 16.3 percent each. Health services, including the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), garnered 13 percent approval, followed by agriculture at 10 percent.
• Key Areas of Concern: Health services, SHA, and SHIF also drew the highest proportion of negative feedback, with 19.2 percent rating them poorly. The government’s anti-corruption efforts drew a 18.4 percent negative rating, while economic conditions and the cost of living registered 12 percent dissatisfaction. Youth employment and opportunities registered a 10.4 percent negative score.

Support for a Female Deputy President

The study also evaluated public openness toward electing Kenya’s first female deputy president, finding that 53 percent of respondents favor the idea (16 percent “very ready” and 37 percent “somewhat ready”).

Among respondents open to female deputy presidential leadership, individual preferences leaned toward

1. Anne Waiguru: 36%
2. Martha Karua: 27%
3. Gladys Wanga: 15%

Methodology

Politrack Africa conducted the fieldwork between September 15 and 25, 2026, sampling 20,419 respondents across the country. Researchers weighted the national estimates against each county’s share of registered voters, maintaining a 95 percent confidence level and a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.

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