The survey, released on Thursday, May 14, 2026, showed that a Kalonzo-Sifuna presidential ticket is currently the most preferred combination among opposition supporters, underlining increasing pressure on opposition leaders to unite against President William Ruto.
According to the findings, 28 per cent of respondents who identified themselves as opposition supporters backed a Kalonzo-Sifuna ticket.
The poll suggests that many Kenyans aligned to the opposition are increasingly warming up to the idea of a broad coalition capable of challenging Kenya Kwanza in the next election cycle.
The survey also revealed that a possible alliance between former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka attracted 25 per cent support, placing it second among the proposed opposition combinations.
The close margin between the two alliances highlights the growing competition over who should lead the opposition movement heading into the 2027 race.
TIFA noted that while the Kalonzo-Sifuna combination emerged as the leading ticket among those surveyed, another possible pairing involving former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i also continued to attract significant attention.
“Among opposition candidate supporters, the combination of Kalonzo and Matiang’i attracts slightly more support than that of Kalonzo and Sifuna. How much influence public opinion will have in this selection process remains to be seen,” the report stated.
Other proposed alliances received considerably lower backing. A Kalonzo-Martha Karua ticket managed only four per cent support, while three per cent of respondents remained undecided. Nine per cent said they did not support any of the proposed pairings.
The findings expose both the opportunities and challenges facing opposition leaders as they attempt to build a united front against Ruto’s administration.
Political analysts argue that while there is growing demand for opposition unity, internal competition over leadership positions could complicate efforts to settle on a single presidential candidate.
The emergence of Sifuna as a preferred running mate in the poll reflects his rising political influence nationally. The Nairobi senator has become one of the most outspoken critics of the Kenya Kwanza government and has continued to gain visibility through the Linda Mwananchi movement.
The movement has drawn large crowds in several parts of the country, particularly among young people and urban voters frustrated by the high cost of living and economic challenges.
Sifuna’s political profile has also grown following attempts to remove him from the ODM Secretary General position, a development that appeared to strengthen his standing among sections of opposition supporters.
In recent months, the senator has consistently advocated for cooperation among opposition leaders, insisting that divisions within the opposition would only benefit President Ruto.
He has repeatedly stated that there is a common understanding among Kenyans that defeating Ruto in 2027 will require a united political machine capable of consolidating votes across different regions.
Sifuna has also maintained that he does not want to participate in any arrangement that could split opposition votes, saying leaders should focus on forming a broad-based coalition instead of competing against one another.
Meanwhile, Kalonzo Musyoka continues positioning himself as a senior opposition figure with presidential ambitions, even as talks around coalition-building intensify.
The TIFA poll is expected to spark further political debate over the direction of the opposition and who stands the best chance of challenging Ruto’s re-election bid.
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