A recent Swiss Poll International survey has ranked Kalonzo Musyoka as the opposition's most preferred presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 Kenyan General Election. The survey, which covered 4,113 respondents from Kenya's eight former provinces, found that Musyoka polled 45% in the opposition-only race, 17 points ahead of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. This positions Musyoka as the dominant opposition figure heading into the election cycle.
In the overall presidential preference, President William Ruto led with 37%, followed by Musyoka at 28%, and Sifuna at 15%. Other candidates, including Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang'i and DCP's Rigathi Gachagua, each polled 6%. Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro trailed at 4%, with 3% of respondents undecided and 1% backing other candidates. The survey noted that the figures reflect present reported preference and not a projected result.
The Swiss Poll also tested preferred running mates for Ruto, with Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru emerging as the top choice with 42%. Sitting deputy president Kithure Kindiki followed at 31%, while Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga polled 13%. Waiguru's 11-point advantage over Kindiki is particularly striking given that Kindiki currently holds the deputy presidency.
On preferred opposition pairings, a Kalonzo-Sifuna-Matiang'i ticket led with 48% support. A Sifuna-headed ticket with Kalonzo as running mate came second at 23%, while a Kalonzo-Matiang'i-Sifuna arrangement attracted 12%. Musyoka features prominently in two of the three leading configurations tested.
The survey also gauged party popularity, with Ruto's UDA topping the rankings at 34.1%. The Linda Mwananchi Movement came second at 15.1%, while Gachagua's Democratic Change Party polled 9.8%, narrowly ahead of Kalonzo's Wiper at 9.1%. ODM registered 7.5% and Jubilee 5.3%, while PPK, DAP-K and FORD Kenya polled 3.6%, 1.8% and 1.1% respectively.
Fieldwork for the survey was conducted between November 5 and 10 through telephone interviews. Of the 4,113 respondents, 53.1% were male and 46.9% female. The largest age group was 26 to 35 years at 30%. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3% at a 95% confidence level.
Swiss Poll advised that party choice "should not be treated as identical to presidential preference." The results reflect present reported preference and not a projected outcome. The survey provides valuable insights into the current political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Key points
- Kalonzo Musyoka leads opposition presidential preference with 45% in Swiss Poll
- President William Ruto leads overall presidential preference with 37%
- Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru is the preferred running mate for Ruto with 42% support
