41% of Mt Kenya voters prefer Kindiki as Ruto’s running mate – Infotrak
By Sharon Atieno, July 13, 2026Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is President William Ruto’s most preferred running mate in the Mt Kenya region, according to a new Infotrak survey, reinforcing his growing political standing as succession politics and 2027 realignments gather pace.
The poll, released on Monday, July 13, 2026, found that 41 per cent of respondents in the Central region believe Kindiki would best strengthen Ruto’s re-election bid. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru ranked a distant second with 14 per cent, while 33 per cent of respondents said they were undecided.
Regional preferences emerge
The survey shows that preferences vary across the country, with different leaders emerging as Ruto’s strongest potential running mates in their respective regions.
According to Infotrak, Hassan Joho leads in the Coast region with 60 per cent, Gladys Wanga tops Nyanza with 35 per cent, while Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is the preferred choice in Western Kenya with 28 per cent.
Infotrak noted that uncertainty remains significant across the regions, with 31 per cent of respondents in Nyanza, 35 per cent in Western and 31 per cent at the Coast saying they were unsure.
“Mt. Kenya strongly favors Prof. Kithure Kindiki at 41%, with Anne Waiguru a distant second at 14%,” Infotrak stated.
“High ‘Not Sure’ levels in Mt. Kenya (33%), Nyanza (31%), Western (35%) and Coast (31%) suggest the running mate conversation is still fluid despite clear front-runners,” the survey added.
Poll comes as Ruto maintains national lead
The findings come against the backdrop of another Infotrak survey showing President Ruto leading the 2027 presidential race with 32 per cent support, ahead of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on 13 per cent, while Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i tied for third place at 12 per cent each.
The nationwide survey, conducted among 3,000 respondents, indicates that Ruto retains a significant advantage more than a year before the official campaign period begins.
DCP reshapes Mt Kenya politics
The running mate survey also comes as Infotrak found that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has become the most popular political party in the Mt Kenya region, commanding 33 per cent support compared to UDA’s 9 per cent and ODM’s 6 per cent.
The findings suggest that while Kindiki remains Ruto’s preferred running mate in Mt Kenya, the region’s party politics continue to evolve, highlighting the increasingly competitive battle for influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.