NAIROBI, Kenya— Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has emerged as the most preferred presidential aspirant in the Mt Kenya region, according to the latest Infotrak survey, outperforming President William Ruto, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other potential contenders ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The poll, released on Monday, July 13, places Matiang’i at the top with 19 per cent support in Central Kenya, marking the strongest showing among all individuals tested in the region.
According to the survey, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka follows with 13 per cent support, while President Ruto and former Deputy President Gachagua are tied at 12 per cent each.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna ranks fifth with 11 per cent support in the region.
The findings indicate that Matiang’i enjoys significantly stronger support in Mt Kenya than his national average, where the poll places him at 12 per cent.
Besides Central Kenya, the former Interior CS also posts notable performances in other regions, attracting 17 per cent support in Nyanza and 16 per cent in Nairobi.
The survey further shows that Central Kenya currently has the highest proportion of undecided voters nationally, with 26 per cent of respondents yet to settle on a preferred presidential candidate.
Matiang’i Gains Ground Among Opposition Supporters
The Infotrak survey also places Matiang’i among the leading contenders for the opposition’s presidential ticket.
According to the findings, Kalonzo Musyoka narrowly leads the preferred opposition presidential candidate race with 27 per cent support, while Matiang’i follows closely at 26 per cent.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna ranks third with 19 per cent support, while former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua records 9 per cent.
Regionally, Matiang’i performs strongly across several parts of the country.
He leads opposition preference in Nairobi with 30 per cent support and also tops the list in both Nyanza and Central Kenya with 29 per cent each.
He also records 27 per cent support in Rift Valley and 25 per cent at the Coast, where he ties with Sifuna.
Demographic analysis contained in the survey indicates Matiang’i’s strongest support comes from voters aged between 36 and 45 years, where he records 14 per cent in the presidential preference poll.
Among male respondents, he attracts 13 per cent support compared to 10 per cent among female voters.
Preferred Opposition Ticket
The survey also tested possible opposition presidential ticket combinations ahead of the 2027 elections.
A Kalonzo Musyoka–Fred Matiang’i ticket emerged as the second most preferred nationally with 16 per cent support.
Meanwhile, a Fred Matiang’i–Kalonzo Musyoka combination ranked third with 15 per cent.
The Matiang’i-Kalonzo ticket recorded its strongest regional performance in Nairobi and Nyanza, where it attracted 19 per cent support in each region.
It also garnered 17 per cent backing in Central Kenya, 23 per cent in North Eastern and 22 per cent in Eastern Kenya.
Among voters aged between 36 and 45 years, the Matiang’i-Kalonzo ticket attracted its highest support at 19 per cent.
Other proposed opposition combinations trailed considerably, with a Kalonzo Musyoka-Rigathi Gachagua ticket receiving 5 per cent support nationally.
Meanwhile, Rigathi Gachagua-Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua-Fred Matiang’i, Fred Matiang’i-Rigathi Gachagua and Fred Matiang’i-Martha Karua each attracted between 3 and 4 per cent support.
Despite Matiang’i’s lead in Central Kenya, President Ruto remains the national frontrunner in the broader presidential preference survey with 32 per cent support.