Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) has published a survey regarding potential 2027 political partnerships, indicating that current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is the favored choice to serve as Vice President to President William Ruto.
The survey results reveal Kindiki leading with 59% as Ruto’s preferred running mate for 2027, followed by Homabay Governor and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chairperson Gladys Wanga who secured 12% support.
Trailing behind Wanga are ODM members including party leader Oburu Oginga and Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, both receiving only three percent backing.
The poll also indicates that President Ruto’s Western Kenya confidants, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, received minimal two percent support, while National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula obtained one percent.
This situation arises as President William Ruto encounters mounting political challenges leading into 2027, positioned between ODM’s claims for the Deputy President position and pressure from
ODM, represented by leaders such as Oburu Oginga, maintains the Deputy President role constitutes their due share for participating in the inclusive government approach, whereas Kindiki has unequivocally stated his position remains non-negotiable.
Meanwhile, the poll delivered a setback to Oburu’s Linda Ground faction, revealing the alternative as the dominant group within ODM with 73% support compared to Oburu’s faction’s 24%.
This significant division stems from Raila Odinga’s death in October 2025, which triggered internal party rifts due to leadership uncertainty, competing visions for 2027 succession, and ideological disagreements regarding alignment with President William Ruto’s inclusive government initiative.
Regarding opposition presidential combinations, the polling indicates the Kalonzo-Matiang’i ticket leading with 31%, narrowly surpassing the Kalonzo-Sifuna pairing which secured 28%.
The Gachagua-Kalonzo combination follows with 25%, while the Kalonzo-Karua ticket significantly trails at only 7%.
The polling occurs during a pivotal period when the nation confronts a volatile political environment, with the Opposition maintaining relentless criticism against President William Ruto’s administration.
From the opposition perspective, among their candidate supporters, the Kalonzo–Matiang’i option attracts marginally more backing than Kalonzo–Sifuna (31% versus 28%). Nevertheless, the extent to which public opinion will influence the final selection process remains uncertain.