Kindiki Beats Oburu and Wanga as Ruto’s Preferred 2027 Running Mate, TIFA Poll Reveals
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has emerged as the leading choice among President William Ruto’s supporters to retain the running mate position in the 2027 General Election, according to a new opinion poll released by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA).
The latest findings place Kindiki significantly ahead of several prominent political figures who have been mentioned as potential contenders for the position, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga, and Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho.
According to the survey released on Thursday, November 12, 2026, 55 per cent of President Ruto’s supporters want Kindiki to remain his running mate in the next general election. The findings suggest that the current Deputy President enjoys considerable backing within the President’s political support base as discussions surrounding the 2027 succession continue gaining momentum.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga emerged second with 12 per cent support, placing her significantly behind Kindiki. Hassan Joho followed with nine per cent, while Oburu Oginga, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula each attracted four per cent.
The results place Kindiki more than four times ahead of his closest competitor, highlighting the considerable advantage he currently enjoys in the contest for the deputy presidential position within Ruto’s camp.
Although the survey does not necessarily determine who President Ruto will eventually select, it offers an interesting picture of the political preferences among his supporters as the country gradually moves towards another general election.
Kindiki’s Growing Position in Ruto’s 2027 Political Plans
Kindiki’s commanding lead in the latest survey comes at a time when political conversations about President Ruto’s possible re-election bid are becoming increasingly prominent.
Since assuming the Deputy President’s office, Kindiki has remained an important figure within the Kenya Kwanza administration. His position has placed him at the centre of government activities and political engagements, giving him considerable visibility as the administration prepares for its next electoral test.
His latest polling performance suggests that a significant section of Ruto’s supporters is comfortable with the current leadership arrangement and would prefer the President to maintain the same partnership in 2027.
The preference for Kindiki could also reflect the importance supporters attach to political continuity. Having served alongside Ruto in the current administration, he has already established himself within the government’s leadership structure.
For supporters who believe the current arrangement should continue, retaining Kindiki could be viewed as a straightforward option that avoids introducing uncertainty into the administration’s political plans.
However, the 55 per cent support recorded in the survey should not be interpreted as an official endorsement or confirmation that Kindiki has already secured the running mate position. The final decision remains a political matter that will depend on several considerations, including coalition negotiations, regional interests, party arrangements and President Ruto’s electoral strategy.
Nevertheless, the latest figures strengthen Kindiki’s position in the emerging conversation about who should accompany Ruto into the 2027 presidential contest.
Gladys Wanga Emerges as Kindiki’s Closest Challenger
Despite Kindiki’s commanding lead, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has emerged as one of the notable figures in the running mate conversation.
Wanga secured 12 per cent support, making her the second-most preferred candidate among Ruto’s supporters.
Her position is particularly interesting considering her influence within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where she serves as the party’s national chairperson.
As one of the prominent women in Kenyan politics, Wanga has increasingly featured in conversations about the country’s political future and the possible arrangements that could shape the 2027 elections.
Her political influence in Nyanza and her leadership position within ODM could make her an important figure in any discussions surrounding a possible political partnership between Ruto’s administration and leaders from the opposition party.
The broad-based government arrangement has also created an environment where political figures from different parties can work alongside the current administration.
This has opened up conversations about possible political partnerships, with some leaders potentially positioning themselves for influential roles in the next government.
However, Wanga’s 12 per cent performance indicates that although she has attracted some support, she still faces a considerable gap compared with Kindiki.
Her political prospects could therefore depend on how coalition negotiations develop and whether ODM’s participation in the broader political arrangement translates into stronger demands for representation in the next administration.
Hassan Joho Also Features in the Running Mate Conversation
Former Mombasa Governor and Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho also emerged among the politicians being considered for the deputy presidential position.
Joho attracted nine per cent support in the latest TIFA survey, placing him third behind Kindiki and Wanga.
His appearance among the leading contenders reflects his continued political relevance, particularly in the Coast region, where he has maintained a considerable political presence.
Joho previously served as Mombasa Governor before joining the national government as Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
His transition from county leadership to the Cabinet has given him a wider national platform, while his political connections within ODM and the broader government arrangement could make him an interesting figure in future coalition discussions.
The Coast region remains politically important, especially considering the need for presidential candidates to build support across different parts of the country.
Consequently, leaders with strong regional influence could become important considerations when political parties and coalitions begin negotiating their preferred presidential tickets.
However, Joho’s nine per cent support shows that he remains behind Kindiki in the latest assessment of preferences among Ruto’s supporters.
Oburu Oginga, Mudavadi and Wetang’ula Trail in the Poll
ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga also featured in the survey but recorded considerably lower support compared with the leading candidates.
Oburu attracted four per cent, tying with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
His inclusion is significant because ODM remains an important political player in discussions surrounding the broad-based government and possible political realignments ahead of 2027.
Since taking over the party leadership, Oburu has been involved in navigating ODM’s political direction at a time when the party faces important decisions about its future relationship with the ruling establishment.
The running mate position could become an important subject in negotiations involving political parties seeking a stronger stake in the next government.
For ODM, the question of political representation could become particularly important as leaders consider whether continued cooperation with Ruto’s administration offers sufficient political benefits.
However, Oburu’s four per cent support in the latest survey suggests that he currently enjoys limited preference among Ruto’s supporters compared with Kindiki.
Mudavadi and Wetang’ula also recorded four per cent each.
Both leaders have occupied influential positions within the current administration and remain important figures in Kenya’s political landscape.
Their inclusion in the survey demonstrates the range of political personalities who could feature in conversations about the next presidential ticket.
Nevertheless, the latest figures indicate that none of them currently poses a significant challenge to Kindiki’s position among the President’s supporters.
Broad-Based Government Could Shape the 2027 Running Mate Debate
The latest survey comes at a time when the broad-based government arrangement continues to influence political conversations surrounding the 2027 General Election.
The arrangement has brought together leaders from different political backgrounds, creating opportunities for cooperation between members of the ruling coalition and sections of the opposition.
However, political cooperation does not necessarily mean that all participating leaders share similar interests when it comes to the next general election.
As the election approaches, questions about political representation, regional balance, party interests and government positions are expected to become increasingly important.
For President Ruto, selecting a running mate could require balancing several competing interests.
Although Kindiki currently enjoys a significant lead in the TIFA survey, the President may also have to consider the political benefits of maintaining existing alliances or attracting additional partners.
The deputy presidential position is particularly important because it can influence the political direction of an entire presidential campaign.
A running mate can help strengthen regional support, attract new political constituencies and improve a candidate’s ability to build a national coalition.
This explains why several prominent political figures have continued to feature in discussions about who could eventually occupy the position.
The latest TIFA findings also suggest that Ruto’s supporters are not entirely united behind one possible alternative, with Wanga, Joho, Oburu, Mudavadi and Wetang’ula attracting varying levels of support.
What the Latest Poll Means for President Ruto
For President Ruto, the latest findings provide an indication of what his supporters currently want as the country approaches the next election cycle.
Kindiki’s 55 per cent support could give the Deputy President a stronger position in discussions surrounding the future of the current political partnership.
It also suggests that many supporters are comfortable with the existing leadership arrangement and may prefer the President to avoid making significant changes to his presidential ticket.
However, presidential running mate selections are rarely determined by opinion polls alone.
Political calculations, regional considerations, party negotiations and the ability to attract additional voters often play a significant role in determining who eventually gets selected.
Ruto will therefore have to consider whether retaining Kindiki offers the strongest opportunity to secure another presidential victory or whether introducing another political figure could help expand his support base.
The President’s relationship with political leaders from different regions could also influence the eventual decision.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, the running mate position is likely to attract increased attention from politicians seeking to strengthen their influence within the ruling establishment.
The 2027 Political Contest Continues to Take Shape
The latest TIFA survey adds another important dimension to the growing political discussions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kindiki’s commanding lead demonstrates that he remains a strong contender for the position, particularly among people who support President Ruto’s political ambitions.
However, the relatively low percentages recorded by other candidates do not necessarily eliminate their chances of becoming part of future political negotiations.
Kenya’s political landscape has repeatedly demonstrated that political alliances and electoral calculations can change significantly as elections approach.
A politician who appears less popular in an early survey could become an important player following a political agreement or a major realignment.
For now, Kindiki appears to enjoy the strongest backing among Ruto’s supporters, with Wanga and Joho emerging as the next most preferred alternatives.
Whether the President will retain his current deputy or consider another political figure remains to be seen.
As political parties prepare for the next electoral contest, the question of who will become Ruto’s running mate is expected to remain one of the major subjects shaping Kenya’s political debate.
The coming months could provide further clarity as leaders position themselves, political alliances develop and parties begin defining their strategies for 2027.
For Kindiki, the latest findings represent a significant political boost. For his potential competitors, they offer an indication of the challenge ahead as the race for one of the country’s most influential political positions gradually takes shape.
Ultimately, the decision will rest with President Ruto, whose choice could have far-reaching implications for his re-election campaign and the political alliances he hopes to build ahead of 2027.
