As Kenyans struggle with a shrinking economy, an unpredictable political climate, and deteriorating social conditions, many are wondering where true salvation shall come from. The definitive response is that it shall come from the Lord.
But as J.F. K once told us, God’s work on earth is surely our work. Political leaders, through their actions, help resolve issues affecting their people. The ability to take action comes from influence. In order to find out who the most influential leaders are, a study was carried out using a sample of 1,000 Kenyan adults, divided equally between the two genders of male and female.
The following are the 10 most influential political leaders in Kenya today.
10. Fred Matiang’i (4% (40 votes)
The former cabinet secretary for Interior in the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta has quickly become a political star, with Gen Zs pushing him to vie for the presidency. He recently held one of the largest political rallies in his home turf of Kisii, making most people conclude that Raila Odinga’s grip on Kisii politics is gone. His name cannot miss in discussions centred on potential opposition presidential candidates for the 2027 State House race. As a cabinet secretary for education, he made sure that the retrogressive culture of examination cheating that had plagued the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) for decades was eliminated, and this was the first big win that distinguished him as a performer.
At 40 votes that translate to 4%, he is the tenth most influential political figure in the country.
9. James Orengo (Siaya County Governor) 5% (50 votes)
As a firebrand revolutionary and preeminent lawyer, James Orengo remains a darling of many in the country. But what has given him attention lately is his vehement opposition to the embrace accorded to President William Ruto by his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He believes such a move betrays the integrity of ODM and compromises the democratic tenets of the movement’s members. But most importantly, he thinks it is a total abuse to the blood of Gen Zs that Ruto’s government shed senselessly on the 24th of June 2024 and continues to do through abductions, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
8. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki- 6% (60 votes).
Professor Kithure Kindiki is a laid back politician who ill fits the shoes of impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. He is a soft spoken leader who is struggling to gain traction in Mt. Kenya where Riggy G is ravaging like wildfire. The influence he wields is largely because of the office he holds and not charisma or any recognizable personal attributes.
7. Uhuru Kenyatta, former President (8% with 80 votes)
The former president still has some substantial influence in the country and his shadow looms large in the 2027 race. There have been loud murmurs over how he is the force behind Matiang’i’s candidature. He is also considered a critical voice in Mt. Kenya politics and political leaders are keen to see who he taps for the 2027 contest. Uhuru also ruffles feathers through his money as many people know that he will be a huge financier of whoever the opposition settles on as the candidate for the president. His two blue eyed boys in the race are Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya and former Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i.
6. Babu Owino (Paul Ongili), Embakasi East MP (9% with 90 votes)
For a two-term member of parliament, Hon. Babu Owino is fast becoming a nationally recognized politician with a sizeable number of Kenyans believing that he should have a say on what happens in the country. He is extremely popular among young people and is the favourite to replace Johnson Koskey Sakaja as Nairobi’s next governor in the 2027 general election. In terms of name recognition, Hon. Owino beats even seasoned politicians who have spent decades traversing the width and breadth of this country.
5. George Natembeya, Trans Nzoia Governor, Tawe Movement Head (11% with 110 votes)
The first term governor of Trans Nzoia county is the latest political phenomenon to shake the foundations of the country’s political infrastructure. Admirably courageous and beautifully organized, this former provincial administrator is fast becoming the Kingpin of Luhyaland. Political analysts all over the country are convinced that he is the right candidate to fly the opposition flag in 2027 whereby with the nearly 5 million Luhya votes, he will easily tear down President Ruto if Riggy G, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Matiang’i agree to support him. His recent arrest over dubious corruption allegations has helped catapult him into the national stage with a majority of Kenyans believing that he is being targeted due to his rising political capital or influence.
4. Kalonzo Musyoka, former Vice President and Wiper Party Leader (12% with 120 votes)
At 71 years old, Kalonzo Musyoka is one of the oldest politicians in the country’s political space. He has a stranglehold on Ukambani politics and his Wiper Party controls nearly 100% of the elective seats in the three counties of Makueni, Machakos, and Kitui. As 2027 beckons, his name is among the top three that are being proposed by a majority of Kenyans as the most suitable to face off with President Ruto. However, he is viewed as being annoyingly soft and inappropriately diplomatic at a time when Kenyans are looking for a warrior and a matador to deal with a combative and abrasive Ruto.
3. Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister and ODM Party Leader (14% with 140 votes)
For about 9 years, Raila Odinga was the most influential political leader in the country. However, that influence has been declining with time as he has made it his culture to make post-election choices that do not augur well with some of his supporters. After running a tough campaign seeking the presidency, Mr. Odinga almost always finds his way to government, a move that leaves many Kenyans wondering whether he really believes in his vision in the first place. In the aftermath of the June 24th 2024 massacre of Gen Z kids who had stormed parliament over finance bill 2024, he moved to cushion Ruto’s fledgling government, and this angered most of his followers who wanted to see President Ruto pushed out of office. It is this move that has seen him lose his influence. Currently, he can only command a large part of his Luo Nyanza backyard, some portions of Luhyaland, and some areas of the former Coast province. He is a shadow of his former self.
2. William Ruto (15% with 150 votes)
A series missteps have made President Ruto the most hated president the country has ever had. He is viewed as a pathological and compulsive liar who is incapable of speaking the truth. Out- of- control corruption, extrajudicial killings, and a high cost of living have seen him appear totally unable to run the country. The influence he wields is based on his statutory position as the president. Politically, he can only command a section of his Rift Valley home ground. His Mt. Kenya support has reduced to about 6% and his chances of reelection are at about 32%.
- Rigathi Gachagua – Former Deputy President and Party Leader, DCP. (16% with 160 votes)
The impeached former deputy president is the most influential political leader in the country at 16%. He is already the undisputed Mt. Kenya Kingpin, a region that carries a whopping 7.3 million votes, the very votes that made William Ruto the president. His runaway post-impeachment popularity has made him the most admired politician across the country, and has helped bolster the opposition’s chances of unseating Ruto in 2027. He is highly organized as shown by his quick move to form his own political party, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), and is likely to be the Kingmaker in the 2027 elections. He is President Ruto’s biggest nightmare, using his knowledge of his former boss’s weaknesses to dismantle him hilariously before excited and eager Kenyans. In the eyes of many Kenyans, Riggy G is a hero who serves as the solid Wall of Jericho between the rogue Ruto regime looters and helpless Kenyans.