By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 30 December 2025 - Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has dismissed recent opinion polls that ranked President William Ruto as the most preferred presidential candidate, calling them inaccurate and misleading.
The Infotrak survey, released last week, indicated that 28% of Kenyans would support President Ruto if elections were held today, positioning him ahead of other contenders.
Cheruiyot, a Kenya Kwanza legislator, described the poll as a “sham,” arguing that it fails to capture the full scope of President Ruto’s support across the country.
“These polls do not reflect the President’s true standing among Kenyans,” he said.
“The people know the impact of his government’s development initiatives. That is what counts.”
The Senate Majority Leader highlighted several government achievements, including the construction of affordable housing units nationwide, the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), and the recruitment of over 76,000 teachers.
Cheruiyot insisted that these initiatives have strengthened the President’s popularity far beyond the numbers reflected in opinion surveys.
He also downplayed the perceived threat of a united opposition, stating that the coalition does not pose a significant challenge to President Ruto’s leadership.
“The opposition may talk about unity, but their capacity to challenge Kenya Kwanza is limited,” Cheruiyot said, emphasising the ruling coalition’s strong grassroots support.
The Infotrak CEO, Angela Ambitho, defended the survey’s methodology, describing it as scientific and representative of national opinion.
“Our approach is based on rigorous sampling and verified data,” Ambitho said.
“The poll reflects the views of a cross-section of Kenyans at this moment in time.”
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Despite Cheruiyot’s rejection of the survey, political analysts note that opinion polls remain a key barometer of public sentiment and are often closely watched by both ruling and opposition parties as they prepare for the next election cycle.
The discrepancy between the perceived support in polls and the government’s assessment of its popularity reflects the ongoing contest for narrative control in Kenya’s political landscape.
In a related development, Cheruiyot welcomed recent gestures of cooperation from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) toward the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He praised the move as a step toward national unity, asserting that collaboration across political divides is essential for the country’s progress.
“Instead of engaging in divisive tribal and regional politics, we need to work together for the benefit of Kenyans,” he said.
Political commentators argue that Cheruiyot’s dismissal of the Infotrak findings serves multiple purposes: reinforcing confidence within the Kenya Kwanza camp, shaping public perception of the President’s popularity, and signaling that the ruling coalition remains focused on development achievements rather than opinion polls.
The ongoing debate over poll credibility also highlights a broader trend in Kenyan politics, where surveys are often contested by parties and leaders whose actual support may differ from what is captured in snapshots of public opinion.
While Cheruiyot insists that President Ruto enjoys widespread backing, analysts caution that opinion polls, despite their limitations, remain an important tool for gauging voter sentiment and predicting electoral trends.
As Kenya approaches a critical period in its political calendar, the tension between survey results and political narrative is likely to intensify.
For the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, the challenge will be to translate development achievements into tangible voter loyalty, while managing perceptions shaped by independent polls.
Cheruiyot’s remarks underscore the administration's intent to prioritise government performance and national unity over headline survey numbers.
