Other Kenyans unsure of Gachagua’s replacement came from the Coast region (66 percent), Nairobi (65 percent), North Eastern (63 percent), Nyanza (59 percent), Eastern (54 percent) and Rift Valley (49 percent).
Infotrak Research and Consulting released its nationwide poll report on Friday, October 11, outlining Kenyans’ views on who will succeed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua should he be impeached by the Senate.
According to the report which surveyed the popular opinion amongst Kenyans residing in various parts of the country, 75 percent of Kenyans in the Central region have no idea who will succeed the second in command, understandably so since Gachagua is considered one of their own.
They are followed not far behind by Kenyans in the Western region, with 67 percent of them unsure of who will be Gachagua’s successor.
Other Kenyans unsure of Gachagua’s replacement came from the Coast region (66 percent), Nairobi (65 percent), North Eastern (63 percent), Nyanza (59 percent), Eastern (54 percent) and Rift Valley (49 percent).
A collage of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Parliament Buildings. /NTV.PARLIAMENT
In total, 60 per cent of the respondents reported that they neither knew nor had an idea of who should be the replacement despite their interest in the unfolding, against 20 percent who had some idea on who would replace Gachagua.
The poll also revealed likely candidates to succeed Gachagua, with former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, emerging as a surprise candidate, though at 2 percent.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki for the second report running was tipped as the firm favourite to take over from Gachagua, having garnered 20 per cent, emerging as the best by a huge margin against other potential candidates.
“20% of respondents indicated a preference for Prof. Kithure Kindiki as the replacement for DP. Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President, while only 5% preferred Governor Anne Waiguru,” read the report in part.
“24% of males preferred Prof. Kithure Kindiki as the replacement for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, while only 16 per cent of females reported a preference for Prof. Kithure Kindiki. Additionally, 21% of those aged 36-45 years noted their preference for Prof. Kithure Kindiki as the replacement, making this age group the most supportive.”
As detailed in the poll, the majority of Kenyans believe that President William Ruto will pick Kindiki owing to his track record.
“The top reasons cited for the preference for Prof. Kithure Kindiki included experience and track record (32 per cent) and competence (29 per cent). However, in terms of experience and track record, Hon. Ndindi Nyoro received the highest rating at 43 per cent,” added the report.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru comes second with a 5 per cent approval rate jointly with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who also garnered 5 per cent.
Meanwhile, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga came fourth alongside Kiharu Member of Parliament at 4 per cent.
Look Back
Recently, Kindiki amassed a significant endorsement of 48 elected leaders from the Mt Kenya region and the diaspora as their kingpin over Gachagua, a move which could dramatically tip the scales in the 2027 general elections. In political terms, a kingpin refers to a politician who controls the ethnic politics of a region and one must be a kingpin to have realistic chances of winning the presidency in Kenya.
It is also worth noting that Kindiki was also highly considered to be President William Ruto’s running mate in the run-up to the 2022 general elections, and was said to have won in both the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Electoral College and opinion polls conducted to pick Ruto’s running mate. The chance was however handed to Gachagua.
Collage of Kithure Kindiki, DP Rigathi Gachagua and Anne Waiguru. /KITHURE KINDIKI.DPPS.ANNE WAIGURU