A new survey has tipped Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and former Laikipia Woman Representative Cate Waruguru to emerge victorious in their quest to be governors in Bungoma and Laikipia Counties respectively.
Anew national opinion survey by Darubini POLL has ranked Didmus Barasa with 64% ratings compared to his closest rival Tim Wanyonyi who has 27% ratings.Former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has 17%,Zacharia Barasa with 16% undecided.
The Kimilili legilstar enjoys massive support from women and youths with 70% of the women voters likely to side with him as per the report.
It is the same case for Cate Waruguru in Laikipia County with the outspoken legislator garnering 51% ratings against Mwangi Kiunjuri bagging 23% and former Governor Ndiritu Murithi getting 14%.
The findings indicate that Laikipia is largely allied to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) with Waruguru emerging as the favorite among the voters for the party ticket.
The poll has also revealed that some incumbent governors are maintaining a strong advantage in key counties ahead of the 2027 General Election, with development records, social programmes and party influence emerging as the biggest determinants of voter support.
The poll focused on gubernatorial races in major urban and politically influential counties including Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Kakamega.
According to the findings, voters are increasingly evaluating governors and gubernatorial aspirants based on visible service delivery and economic empowerment programmes.
In Nairobi County, Johnson Sakaja emerged as the clear frontrunner in the gubernatorial race with 48 percent support.
The survey attributes Sakaja’s growing popularity to flagship county programmes such as the Dishi na County school feeding initiative, which has gained traction among low-income families benefiting from public primary school feeding programmes across the capital.
Respondents also cited ongoing ward-based road rehabilitation projects and visible county activities in informal settlements as key factors boosting Sakaja’s approval ratings.
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya came second with 28 percent support, largely drawing backing from Mount Kenya voters within Nairobi.
Meanwhile, Babu Owino secured 17 percent support, with the survey indicating that his popularity remains strongest among younger voters and residents of informal settlements.
Favourite in Kisumu
In Kisumu County, Senior Counsel Tom Ojienda emerged as the leading gubernatorial aspirant with 40 percent support.
The survey found that many respondents view him as the most suitable successor to Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is serving his final term in office.
However, the poll also points to a potentially competitive succession battle within ODM, especially with Deputy Governor Mathews Owili positioning himself as the continuity candidate for the current administration’s development agenda.
The findings further suggest that internal ODM party politics could significantly shape the final gubernatorial contest in Kisumu, particularly regarding the ambitions of Ruth Odinga, who received 17 percent support in the survey.
In Nakuru County, Susan Kihika maintained a commanding lead with 42 percent support.
The survey established that Kihika continues to enjoy strong backing among women and small-scale traders due to healthcare programmes and economic empowerment initiatives rolled out by her administration.
Respondents specifically highlighted the Sh100 million Wezesha Fund, which offers affordable loans to small business owners, as one of the county government’s most popular programmes.
