President William Ruto and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna are tied as Kenyans’ preferred candidates for the 2027 presidential election, each with 31 percent support, according to an opinion poll that Trends Insight for Africa (TIFA) released on Thursday.
Sifuna’s support has climbed sharply, from no measurable support in August 2022, September 2025, and November 2025 to 10 percent in May 2026, 15 percent in June, and 31 percent in November. Ruto’s support rose more gradually: he registered 16 per cent in September 2025 and 19 per cent in November that year, then reached 24 per cent in May and June 2026 before rising to 31 per cent in the latest poll.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who previously led the preference rankings, recorded the sharpest decline among prominent presidential hopefuls. His support fell from 32 percent in August 2022 to 21 percent in September 2025, 18 percent in November 2025, and 14 percent in both May and June 2026. It dropped again to five percent in November.
Former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has also lost ground since reaching a high of 25 percent in November 2025. He drew 19 percent in May 2026, 13 percent in June, and nine percent in the latest poll.
The regional results show Ruto leading in Central Rift with 59 percent, Coast with 40 percent…
