The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has emerged as the fastest-growing opposition presidential hopeful in the latest TIFA opinion poll, registering the biggest increase in public support among leading contenders.
The survey, released on Friday, shows President William Ruto maintaining his lead in the presidential race, while several prominent opposition figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, recorded a decline in support.
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According to the poll, President Ruto’s popularity remained unchanged at 24 percent between May and June 2026.
Sifuna, however, increased his support from 10 percent in May to 15 percent in June, marking the largest gain among opposition candidates.
TIFA noted that Sifuna’s rise has been significant, considering he had virtually no measurable support in late 2025. The pollster observed that his popularity has steadily increased from zero percent in November 2025 to 15 percent in June 2026, placing him among the leading opposition presidential contenders.
While Sifuna gained support, Kalonzo Musyoka’s popularity dropped from 25 percent in November 2025 to 13 percent in the latest survey.
Fred Matiang’i also registered a decline, falling to 14 percent after previously reaching 32 percent in May 2025.
Rigathi Gachagua’s support also reduced from nine percent in May 2026 to seven percent in the June poll.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino remained largely unchanged, retaining two percent support after previously peaking at eight percent.
The survey further found that 20 percent of respondents remain undecided on their preferred presidential candidate, although the figure has fallen from 28 percent recorded in August 2022.
TIFA noted that the undecided voters could still play a significant role in determining the outcome of the 2027 General Election.
Within political parties, the poll found varying levels of support for presidential hopefuls.
Among ODM supporters, Sifuna emerged as the preferred candidate, attracting 44 percent support, compared to 20 percent for President Ruto, while 13 percent of ODM supporters remained undecided.
President Ruto continued to dominate within UDA, where he enjoyed 84 percent backing from party supporters.
Among supporters of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Gachagua led with 44 percent, followed by Kalonzo Musyoka at 19 percent and Fred Matiang’i at 15 percent.
The survey also showed that Jubilee supporters overwhelmingly preferred Matiang’i, while Wiper supporters remained strongly behind Kalonzo Musyoka.
According to TIFA, UDA, Wiper and Jubilee supporters demonstrated stronger party loyalty, while ODM supporters appeared more divided despite Sifuna emerging as their preferred presidential choice.
The findings come as political parties continue positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election and intensify efforts to strengthen support before the official campaign period begins.
