President William Ruto’s popularity has been on the rise despite his regime growing unpopular among Kenyans.
Ruto has had it rough at the hands of a withdrawn citizenry that is not satisfied by his style of leadership.
His critics cite wanton corruption, incompetent government bureaucrats, abductions of those questioning the state and brutality to protesters.
But a survey by Infotrak indicates the president is still a favourite candidate to many Kenyans and that he would win the presidential election had it been held today.
According to the survey released on Sunday, December 28, Ruto still has a chance against the United Opposition and indeed any other figure that might want to challenge him out of office.
The president has 28 percent support base across the country, distantly trailed by former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i with 13 percent.
Wiper leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has 12 per cent on his side, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino who has never declared intrest to run for the top seat has 7 percent defeating Democratic for Citizens Party’s leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachahua with 5 percent.
People’s Liberal Party leader Martha Karua and former Chief Justice David Maraga tie with 2 percent. Those preferring Ruto cite his commitment to tackle the high cost of living.
46 per cent of Kenyans are satisfied. Anti-corruption efforts and optimising healthcare services also add to the factors that would draw votes to him. However, his legacy project, the Affordable Housing Programme, has yet to become a fortune turner for him in electoral terms, given that only 3 per cent of the country approve of it.
The poll undertaken between December 19 and 20 was carried out through quantitative interviews conducted through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI).
1000 respondents were interviewed. The sample size was designed using population proportionate to size guided by the 2019 Census.
The survey, which covered all 47 counties, posted a margin of error of ±3.10% at a 95% degree of confidence. Ruto urged the ODM party to strengthen and organise itself as it gears up for the 2027 General Election.
President Ruto hinted at the possibility of a coalition with the Orange party ahead of the 2027 elections, saying that while the Oburu Oginga-led outfit was strategising, he would also strengthen the UDA party to build a formidable alliance.
In an effort to attract ODM members, the president remarked that the party could form the next government as an equal partner to UDA.
He explained that ODM needed to organise itself and remain steady, stressing that a strong ODM would allow both sides to jointly plan for the country’s leadership and progress. Ruto added that once ODM was firm, he would ensure UDA was equally strong so that together they could form the government in agreement