A recent survey conducted by Mizani Africa has revealed that President William Ruto maintains a commanding lead in the 2027 presidential race. According to the poll, Ruto garnered 38.7% of the presidential preference survey. This puts him ahead of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who follows at 27.5%. The survey, conducted in September 2026, provides insight into the current standings of various politicians in the race for the presidency.
The Mizani Africa poll also ranked other candidates in the presidential preference survey. Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna was ranked third with 13.2%, while Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang'i trailed in fourth place with 7.7%. Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua closed the top five with 4.4%. Other candidates, including PLP's Martha Karua, former Chief Justice David Maraga, and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, each registered below 4%. A further 5% of respondents remained undecided.
On the question of which opposition figure would be best placed to unseat Ruto, Kalonzo again leads with 37.2%. He outpaced Sifuna, who garnered 19.7%, and Matiang'i, who received 12.9%. Notably, 15.4% of respondents said they were not sure, indicating that the opposition flagbearer conversation remains open. This suggests that while Kalonzo is currently the dominant opposition figure, the race is not yet settled.
The poll also tested potential opposition pairings to challenge Ruto in the next general election. The Kalonzo-Sifuna combination drew the highest support at 40.8%, nearly 30% points ahead of the next pairing. Kalonzo paired with Matiang'i registered 11.0%, while the least preferred combination, Gachagua paired with Sifuna, drew 4.45%. These findings suggest that a well-coordinated opposition ticket centred on Kalonzo and Sifuna could narrow the gap heading into the next general election.
The Mizani Africa poll provides valuable insights into the current state of the 2027 presidential race in Kenya. While Ruto holds a clear advantage in a multi-candidate field, the opposition has the potential to mount a strong challenge with the right pairing. The findings of this poll are consistent with previous surveys, which have shown Ruto to be a strong contender.
The opposition flagbearer preference poll also revealed interesting results. Kalonzo's 17.5% point advantage over Sifuna positions him as the dominant opposition figure ahead of 2027. However, the sizeable undecided bloc suggests that the race is not yet settled, and other candidates may still mount a challenge.
The Mizani Africa poll did not disclose the methodology, sample size, or margin of error for the survey. Despite this, the findings provide a snapshot of the current state of the 2027 presidential race in Kenya. The next general election is expected to be a closely contested affair, with various politicians vying for the top spot.
Key points
- President William Ruto leads the 2027 presidential preference race with 38.7%.
- Kalonzo Musyoka is the preferred opposition candidate to unseat Ruto, with 37.2%.
- The Kalonzo-Sifuna pairing drew the highest support as a potential opposition ticket, with 40.8%.
