Kithure Kindiki Holds Lead as Ruto’s Preferred Running Mate

Evans Kirui
November 12, 2026
Politics

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is the first choice for running mate among President William Ruto’s supporters. A TIFA Research poll released on Thursday, November 12, gives him 55 per cent backing. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga trails at 12 per cent, a distant second.

Hassan Joho, the Mining CS, is third with 9 per cent. Oburu Oginga, Moses Wetang’ula, and Musalia Mudavadi each take 4 per cent. Wycliffe Oparanya has 2 per cent, and Anne Waiguru has 1 per cent.

Nine per cent of Ruto’s backers have yet to choose a running mate. Pollsters say roughly one in ten supporters is still undecided on the post.

In the wider presidential race, Ruto and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna are tied at the top. Each commands 31 per cent support. The poll shows Ruto’s backing rising steadily from 18 per cent in August 2022.

Sifuna’s climb has been the most dramatic. Pollsters recorded no measurable support for him between 2022 and 2025. He now stands level with the President.

Several opposition figures have lost ground. Kalonzo Musyoka dropped from 13 per cent in June to 9 per cent in November. Fred Matiang’i slipped from 14 per cent to 5 per cent. Rigathi Gachagua fell from 7 per cent to 4 per cent. Ndindi Nyoro has entered the race at 1 per cent.

Fifteen per cent of Kenyans remain undecided about who should become president. The survey ran from October 26 to November 5, 2026. It covered nine regions, including Nairobi, Mt Kenya, Nyanza, Western Kenya, and the Coast.