Kibagendi: Ruto has now come to terms with the reality of his 2027 defeat
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 13, 2026Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament, Antony Kibagendi, has come out to state that President William Ruto has already accepted the reality of his defeat in the 2027 general election.
In a statement shared on his social media channels on April 13, 2026, Kibagendi claimed that the president is gradually realising the political challenges that lie ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, recent political developments and emerging opinion trends indicate that the president is facing a significantly tougher political environment than when he first took office.
He has argued that while the president may still maintain visible national support, his current numbers fall below the level required for a first-round victory under Kenya’s constitutional threshold.
“It is becoming increasingly evident that President William Ruto is fully aware of the steep political mountain he faces ahead of the 2027 general election.”
“Multiple opinion polls, from institutions such as the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, and firms like Infotrak Research and Consulting”, he said.
“Consistently point to a troubling reality for the incumbent: while he may still lead individually, his support remains below 30%, far from the constitutional threshold of 50% + 1 and the county distribution requirement.”
He has further suggested that a united opposition could pose a serious challenge if it manages to consolidate its support base, arguing that combined backing from opposition-aligned regions and undecided voters could shift the balance of power ahead of the polls.
Ruto’s political approach
Kibagendi has also pointed to what he describes as a change in the president’s political approach, noting increased domestic engagement and more frequent public development tours as signs of an administration working to strengthen its connection with citizens. He has linked this to growing political pressure as the country edges closer to the election period.
He has further observed that recent government communication strategies, including project launches and public engagements, appear aimed at maintaining public confidence even as political competition intensifies.
Kenyan political environment
At the same time, Kibagendi has raised concerns about the broader political environment, particularly the need to safeguard the independence of key institutions involved in the electoral process. He has stressed that credible elections depend on the neutrality of bodies such as the electoral commission, security agencies, and the judiciary.
He has concluded by emphasising that the 2027 General Election will ultimately depend on the will of the Kenyan people, who he says are now more politically aware and determined to protect the integrity of the democratic process.