Top politicians to watch in 2026
By Aloys Michael, December 22, 2025With the 2026 political season fast approaching, attention is already shifting to the leaders likely to shape the country’s next chapter ahead of the 2027 polls.
Behind the scenes, alliances are forming, rivals are repositioning, and early signals from rallies, party meetings, and policy debates are offering clues about who may dominate the national conversation.
From seasoned power brokers plotting comebacks to rising figures testing their national appeal, the road to 2026 is beginning to take shape.
These are the top politicians to watch as the battle for influence, succession, and survival in Kenya’s high-stakes political arena gathers momentum:
William Ruto
Focused on his reelection bid, President William Ruto is expected to deploy high-octane political calculation to woo Kenyans to back him.
He has already courted the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party through the broad-based arrangement. Perhaps Ruto’s big political headache is how to get a replacement for the populous, vote-rich Mt Kenya region that voted him overwhelmingly in the last election.
His moves will be of interest to political observers as he has already revealed that he is ready to negotiate with ODM ahead of 2027.
Kalonzo Musyoka
While the opposition has yet to deliberate on who will flagbear in the contest for the country’s top seat, the Wiper Patriotic Front leader has positioned himself as the favourite candidate to compete against Ruto.
The question that lingers for most observers is whether it’s his moment? His political moves will be significant in determining the outcome of the next presidential contest.
Rigathi Gachagua
Unafraid of courting political controversy, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is likely to be a significant determinant of who will be the next president of the country.
Since his ouster, Gachagua is keen to take revenge on UDA’s boss by unseating in the upcoming contest. Already, he has declared himself the sole opposition leader capable of making Ruto a wantam President.
Seen to be commanding over five million votes from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, Gachagua, who is bullish in his criticism of Ruto’s administration, has been a thorn in the flesh of the government.
Fred Matiang’i
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary yearns to oust Ruto but is finding himself in uncharted waters. A section of his Opposition colleagues doesn’t believe his bid is genuine, while his biggest test is whether there will be unity in the Opposition movement.
Matiang’i’s political move, which is likely to be determined by the aggressiveness of former President Uhuru Kenyatta to revamp the Jubilee Party, will be significant in determining whether the Opposition will surmount a meaningful challenge to Ruto’s reelection.
David Maraga
The former Chief Justice David Maraga wants to be the president of Kenya, but is not ready to use money to influence support. It is still not known if he’ll succeed in this quest in a country where political contests are well-oiled financially.
Maraga, who is seen as an integrity-associated candidate, is presenting a question of consciousness to Kenyans. The question is: Are we rebooting this country, or do we have to blame ourselves after choosing the usual politicians we know too well?
Gladys Wanga
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga is not sleeping because she’s plotting serious political moves that could significantly raise her political success should she succeed.
Wanga is eying the deputy presidency should Ruto decide to drop Kindiki as his running mate.
The outspoken yet flamboyant politician is also setting her eyes on Nyanza political leadership after Raila’s exit. Her growing influence within President Ruto’s circles could mean that she will be a big determinant in the ODM Party’s next move ahead of the 2027 race.
George Natembeya
The Trans Nzoia Governor is threatening to eat a slice of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s bread in the battle for Western Kenya political leadership.
Natembeya’s growing influence and political acumen could upset the political status quo of how Western Kenya votes.
Should he succeed in rallying Western Kenya to back his rebellion and Tawe Movement then Mudavadi and Wetangula may have to explain to Ruto why they shouldn’t be replaced from their seats.
Oburu Oginga
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga’s rise to the helm of the ODM Party has had its fair share of challenges following internal resentment and discontentment.
Oburu’s indication that his outfit will back Ruto in the next presidential contest, but with conditions, has ruffled feathers within the broad-based arrangement.
Keen to steer ODM Party and drive it to vibrancy, Oburu will be facing an acid test in cohesion of the party post its former leader, Raila Odinga, who died after an illness.
Kithure Kindiki
After proving that his ” fire si fire” slogan is real upon delivering the Mbeere North Constituency by- election contest that pitted him against ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kithure Kindiki is basking in momentary glory.
Political moves Kindiki will be making, especially his bid to deliver Mt.Kenya East region votes to Ruto, will define whether he’ll be retained as the deputy president.
Edwin Sifuna
Whether he is a rebel with a cause or without, Nairobi Senator and ODM Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna’s next political move, which is imminent, is likely to have political ramifications in the political landscape.
Sifuna has been unhappy with his party’s dalliance with Ruto and has indicated that he would not hesitate to bolt should it back Ruto’s reelection. Sifuna’s move could jolt the party because he’s gotten backing from other restless MPs from the Western Kenya region, like Saboti’s Caleb Amisi and Godfrey Osotsi.
Babu Owino
The Embakasi East MP is restless and young. He’s been rattling feathers in his ODM Party by threatening to go it alone for the Nairobi City County gubernatorial contest and the Luo Community kingpinship, especially after Raila Odinga’s demise.
Babu’s growing influence and popularity within the bigger younger population has been unsettling the old political guards in the ODM Party, and now even the Opposition has been wooing him to their side.
Babu’s political moves will be significant in influencing the Nairobi gubernatorial contest and in determining the influence the extent to which the youthful voters who back him can surmount a challenge to the status quo.
Mike Sonko
The comeback of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko through a newly registered political outfit could jolt the city’s political matrix. His shrewdness in rallying masses and street acumen are assets to any political camp he will be backing.