Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has dismissed the latest Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) opinion poll that ranked Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the opposition’s most preferred presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.

Reacting to the survey through his social media pages on Friday, July 24, 2026, the outspoken lawmaker claimed the poll was sponsored by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and designed to create divisions within the opposition coalition.

Salasya argued that the survey was intended to portray Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement as more popular than the United Opposition, a move he claimed was aimed at undermining the political standing of opposition leaders such as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

He further ridiculed the poll, sarcastically suggesting that if the trend continued, Sifuna’s popularity would rise to 80 per cent in the next survey, dismissing the findings as lacking credibility.

“NIS is doing donkey work to split the opposition by showing Linda Mwananchi is more popular than the united opposition now. The Sifuna/Matiang’i ticket is top now, making Kalonzo and Rigathi nobodies in the matrix. Siasa ni lineche. In fact, Sifuna is 80% next week by polls as a top presidential candidate.”

2027 presidential race

Salasya’s remarks came shortly after TIFA released its latest presidential preference survey, which placed President William Ruto in the lead with 24 per cent support.

The poll ranked Sifuna second nationally with 15 per cent, making him the highest-rated opposition candidate. Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i followed closely with 14 per cent, while Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was ranked fourth with 13 per cent support.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua garnered 2 per cent, while Embakasi East MP Babu Owino received 1 per cent. The survey also found that 20 per cent of respondents were yet to decide whom they would support in the 2027 presidential election.

Sifuna’s growing popularity

According to TIFA, Sifuna has recorded the fastest rise among opposition politicians, growing from virtually no measurable support in 2025 to 15 per cent in June 2026, a development that has positioned him among the country’s leading opposition presidential contenders. The poll, however, noted that although President Ruto continues to lead, opposition support remains fragmented among several candidates.