Recent opinion polls have confirmed what many Kenyans already feel on the ground: President William Ruto is firmly on a Wantam trajectory.
According to the latest Infotrack poll, WSR leads with 28%, followed by Matiang’i at 13%, Kalonzo at 12%, Babu Owino at 7%, Rigathi Gachagua at 5%, with others trailing behind. Notably, the undecided vote stands at approximately 25%.
A separate Politrack poll paints a similar picture: WSR at 23%, Matiang’i 19%, Kalonzo 17%, Riggy G 9%, Babu 5%, Sifuna 4%, while once again the undecided category exceeds 20%.
These figures send two very clear and powerful messages. First, this is a loud and urgent wake-up call to the Opposition. The time for side shows, personality contests, and disjointed messaging is over.
The Opposition must now pull up its socks, reorganize, and deliberately work together. Unity is no longer optional; it is a political necessity.
The Opposition must articulate a clear, coherent, and hopeful national message. A message that speaks directly to the Kenyan youth, who are burdened by unemployment and uncertainty.
A message that reassures the Kenyan worker, who lives in constant fear of new taxes, levies, and shrinking take-home pay. A message that restores confidence among small and medium enterprises, many of which are on the brink of collapse, struggling to stay afloat and create jobs.
Above all, the Opposition must convincingly demonstrate how it will urgently reform the health sector, fix the education system, and stabilize the economy. These are not abstract policy debates; they are bread-and-butter issues that determine the quality of life of millions of Kenyans. Any coalition that credibly addresses these concerns will earn the trust of the people.
Second, and more importantly, these polls expose a fundamental truth: William Ruto is a Wantam President.
How so?
Even without forming a coalition, the combined numbers of Opposition candidates already surpass WSR’s individual standing.
A simple combination of Matiang’i, Kalonzo, and Babu Owino pushes the Opposition beyond 30%, comfortably above Ruto’s figures. But the real battleground is not even there.
The most critical bloc is the UNDECIDED voter and those who declined to respond. This group has already made one clear decision: they will NOT vote for William Ruto or this regime.
They are waiting, not for Ruto, who will automatically be on the ballot, but for an Opposition that is organized, credible, and ready to govern.
The undecided voter understands that WSR has had his chance and has failed to address their concerns. They are watching closely to see whether the Opposition will present real solutions to the economic pain, policy failures, and governance excesses that define this administration.
They are waiting for a leadership that pushes a national, people-centered agenda, not one built on propaganda and elite interests.
These polls further demonstrate that despite relentless theatrics, aggressive propaganda, manufactured perceptions, open bribery of politicians, inducement of voters, and attempts to influence polling outcomes, WSR still cannot attain the constitutional threshold of 50% + 1, nor secure 25% in at least 24 counties as required by law.
As we move forward, it is expected that more resources will be deployed to artificially inflate perceptions in his favour,a familiar strategy. But perception management cannot erase lived reality. Kenyans are hurting, and no amount of propaganda can mask that truth.
The direction is clear. The numbers are clear. The mood of the country is clear.
#WantamNiConstant
By Hon. Anthony Kibagendi
