William Ruto Faces Running Mate Dilemma As Kindiki Leads Polls

When Professor Kithure Kindiki took the oath of office as Kenya’s deputy president in November 2024, President William Ruto praised him as a patriot whose dedication to national unity was beyond reproach, according to reports detailing the initial swearing-in. Ruto described his new deputy as an effective champion of peace and security across our country, and a loyal steward of the bottom-up economic agenda. Yet that early confidence now runs headlong into mounting regional pressures and shifting political alliances.

Mount Kenya slips increasingly toward former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, while leaders from Western Kenya apply steady pressure for a share of the deputy presidency.

Public Opinion and Voter Preferences in the 2026 Infotrak Survey

A nationally representative public opinion survey conducted between June 22 and June 26, 2026, by Infotrak Research and Consulting shows Kindiki holding a commanding lead as the preferred choice to deputise Ruto in the broad-based government. The survey encompassed 3,000 adults across all 47 counties using mixed-mode data collection, yielding a margin of error of plus or minus 1.79 per cent at a 95 per cent confidence level.

Kindiki emerged as the sole contender to surpass the 20-per-cent threshold, capturing 34 per cent of respondents who named him as their preferred running mate. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga followed in second place with 11 per cent support, a showing that highlights the rising prominence of Orange Democratic Movement figures within the current administration. Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga ranked third with 5 per cent, followed by former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho at 4 per cent and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru at 3 per cent.

Potential Running Mate	Affiliation or Role	Survey Support
Kithure Kindiki	Deputy President	34 per cent
Gladys Wanga	Homa Bay Governor	11 per cent
Oburu Oginga	Siaya Senator	5 per cent
Hassan Joho	Former Mombasa Governor	4 per cent
Anne Waiguru	Kirinyaga Governor	3 per cent

Despite Kindiki’s lead, the survey underscores widespread voter hesitation. A full 37 per cent of respondents reported being undecided or unsure who should occupy the position, exceeding the individual support recorded for any single candidate outside of Kindiki.

Coalition Realignment Between the UDA and the Orange Democratic Movement

The polling backdrop coincides with structural realignments between President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance and factions of the Orange Democratic Movement. Senior party figures from the opposition have integrated into Cabinet and other state positions under the broad-based governance model, reshaping party calculations ahead of the next General Election.

Poll: Kindiki most preferred Ruto's running mate — Photo: the-star.co.ke

Internal discussions within the Orange Democratic Movement have already touched on power-sharing formulas. Senior leaders within the party have made clear their expectations for the upcoming national ballot.

Other senior figures have echoed demands for parity within the coalition framework. Party representatives emphasize that coalition negotiations must address leadership distribution directly rather than leaving secondary slots unaddressed.

Party discussions have also floated alternative internal contenders should negotiations expand, with leaders noting that several senior officials possess the standing to step into national executive roles.

Strategic Calculations for the 2027 General Election

As political parties prepare for formal coalition bargaining, the deputy presidential slot remains a central bargaining chip. The arrangement must reconcile competing regional, ethnic, gender, and partisan interests to preserve stability within the governing coalition.

Ruto in a dilemma on whether to retain Kindiki as running mate or give in to ODM demands

Kindiki continues to maintain a visible profile by touring development projects alongside Ruto and spearheading government initiatives. Yet the emergence of figures like Gladys Wanga as viable alternatives ensures that coalition partners will press their advantage during forthcoming negotiations on policy frameworks and electoral line-ups.