Former Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi has emerged as the most preferred candidate in the race for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson position.

According to the latest poll released by TIFA on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Amadi emerged as the most popular candidate, garnering 41 per cent support among Kenyans, which is nearly double the support for the next most popular candidate, Charles Nyachae, who received 23 per cent.

The poll further shows that Amadi’s popularity is consistent across genders, with 42 per cent support among females and 40 per cent among males. In contrast, Nyachae’s support is higher among males, 26 per cent, than among females, 20 per cent.

“Among all Kenyans, after being given the names of the four final candidates for the position of IEBC Chair, Anne Amadi emerged as the most popular, with nearly twice as many naming her as the next most popular candidate, Charles Nyachae (41% vs. 23%). Surprisingly, perhaps, her popularity among females is only slightly higher than among males (42% vs. 40%), though Nyachae’s popularity is somewhat higher among males than among females (26% vs. 20%),” the TIFA poll reads in part.

The polls further indicated that Anne Amadi is the most favoured candidate across all nine of Kenya’s regions, with her highest ratings in Nairobi and her home region of Nyanza.

“In terms of their geographical distribution of support, Anne Amadi stands out as the most popular across all nine of the country’s zones, with her rating in Nairobi and Nyanza (her home region) being the highest,” the TIFA poll reads in part.

Similarly, TIFA revealed that the younger generation tends to favour Amadi over other candidates.

“Younger respondents aged 18 to 34 are more inclined to support Anne Amadi, while older respondents aged 35 and above show a slightly stronger preference for Charles Nyachae,” the TIFA poll reads in part.

Furthermore, the poll disclosed that the majority of Kenyans were more aware of Amadi’s candidacy.

“Among all Kenyans, more were aware of the candidacy of Anne Amadi for IEBC Chair (30%), followed by Charles Nyachae (11%), with almost none able to name the other two candidates. A clear majority (61%) could not name any. However, among those who could identify the responsibility deadline the IEBC has already missed (i.e., reviewing constituency boundaries), awareness of at least the two most-recognised candidates (i.e., Amadi and Nyachae) was somewhat greater,” the TIFA poll reads in part.