New TIFA Poll Names Top Choice for Ruto’s 2027 Running Mate as Three Big Names Tie at 4%

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is the clear favourite to remain President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 General Election, according to a survey released by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) on November 12, 2026.

The poll indicates that 55 per cent of respondents who back President Ruto’s re-election prefer retaining Kindiki on the ticket.

TIFA notes that these findings point to strong backing for continuity within the Kenya Kwanza administration rather than picking a new deputy.

Behind Kindiki, Homa Bay Governor and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga emerges in second place with 12 per cent support among Ruto’s base.

Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho takes the third spot, attracting 9 per cent of the surveyed supporters.

Further down the list, three prominent political figures find themselves locked in a dead heat at 4 per cent each.

ODM party leader Oburu Oginga, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula all share this fourth-place tie.

Meanwhile, Wycliffe Oparanya garnered 2 per cent support, while Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru recorded 1 per cent.

The survey also reveals a notable pocket of uncertainty among the President’s supporters regarding the deputy slot.

Nine per cent of the respondents stated they were undecided on who should deputise Ruto in 2027, while another 2 per cent declined to respond.

This running mate data comes alongside broader presidential preference figures from the same November 12, 2026 TIFA Research release.

In the top race, President William Ruto and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna are tied as the most preferred presidential candidates at 31 per cent each.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka trails in third place at 9 per cent, followed by Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i at 5 per cent and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at 4 per cent.

With voter preferences continuing to shift, political alliances and running mate choices remain central to the road to 2027.

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