Kindiki tops poll as preferred running mate for Ruto in 2027 with 34 per cent support, Governor Wanga second at 11 per cent

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has emerged as the most preferred running mate for President William Ruto under the Broad-Based Government, with a new Infotrak poll showing he commands 34 per cent support among voters, followed by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga with 11 per cent.

“Prof. Kithure Kindiki is the clear overall frontrunner at 34 per cent, leading both women and men equally at 34 per cent and topping every age cohort," reads the report.

“ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga is the strongest alternative at 11 per cent overall, with her strongest base in Nyanza (21 per cent) and among 18- 26-year-olds (19 per cent).”

Despite this, the July 2026 Voice of the People Poll by Infotrak Research & Consulting, a national assessment of Kenya’s political mood ahead of the 2027 General Election, shows uncertainty remains high, with 37 per cent of respondents saying they are not sure or do not know who would be the best running mate for President Ruto.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga follows Wanga with five per cent support, while Mining CS Hassan Joho has four per cent. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru received 3 per cent, Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula each have 2 per cent, Kisii Governor Simba Arati has 1 per cent, while other candidates received 0.4 per cent.

The poll further shows that regional support for Kindiki is strongest in North Eastern at 44 per cent, Rift Valley at 43 per cent and Eastern at 39 per cent, but lower in Central at 22 per cent and Coast at 23 per cent.

In Mt Kenya, Kindiki leads as the preferred running mate for President Ruto at 41 per cent, followed by Waiguru at 14 per cent, while 33 per cent of respondents were not sure or did not know.

The poll also shows Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro received 5 per cent support in the region, while Wanga, Arati, Mudavadi, Oburu and Wetang’ula each received 1 per cent.

In Nyanza, Governor Wanga leads at 35 per cent, followed by Oburu at 25 per cent, while 31 per cent of respondents were undecided.

Kindiki received 4 per cent support in Nyanza, while other candidates received 2 per cent. In Western, Mudavadi leads at 28 per cent, followed by Wetang’ula at 22 per cent, while 35 per cent were not sure or did not know.

The poll further shows Kindiki received 4 per cent support in Western, while other candidates received 2 per cent.

At the Coast, Joho emerged as the preferred choice at 60 per cent, followed by Kindiki at 4 per cent, while 31 per cent of respondents remained undecided.

The survey notes that Coast has the clearest preference, with Joho leading ahead of other options.

It adds that Mt Kenya strongly favours Kindiki, while Nyanza and Western remain competitive, with different leaders emerging in each region.

The poll also shows high levels of uncertainty in the running mate question, with 33 per cent undecided in Mt Kenya, 31 per cent in Nyanza, 35 per cent in Western and 31 per cent at the Coast.

The survey also assessed which running mate would most likely strengthen President Ruto’s support across regions.

In Mt Kenya, Kindiki leads at 41 per cent, followed by Waiguru at 14 per cent, while 33 per cent were not sure or did not know.

In Nyanza, Wanga leads at 35 per cent, followed by Oburu at 25 per cent, with 31 per cent undecided. In Western, Mudavadi leads at 28 per cent, followed by Wetang’ula at 22 per cent, while 35 per cent were not sure.

At the Coast, Hassan Joho leads at 60 per cent, followed by Kindiki at 4 per cent, while 31 per cent were undecided.

The poll notes that high levels of uncertainty remain despite clear front-runners, with respondents who were not sure or did not know standing at 48 per cent in Nairobi, 46 per cent in Central, 45 per cent at the Coast and 47 per cent among those aged above 55 years.

The Infotrak trend analysis shows President Ruto’s support has increased from 21 per cent in August 2025 to 28 per cent in December 2025 and 32 per cent in June 2026.