Kanchory Claims Ruto’s Unpopularity Won’t Stop Him From Retaining Power in 2027
Former Azimio presidential chief agent Saitabao Ole Kanchory has sparked fresh political debate after declaring that President William Ruto’s popularity has collapsed—while insisting the decline will have little impact on the 2027 General Election.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X on Sunday, November 30, 2025, Kanchory argued that Kenya’s electoral system is too compromised for public opinion to meaningfully influence election results. He claimed that victory is instead determined by control of electoral institutions.
“William Ruto is no doubt the most unpopular president in the history of Kenya. However, because we have normalised electoral fraud, our politics is not a popularity contest. It is a game of numbers and whoever can play with the numbers wins. It’s that simple — everything else is hot air,” he wrote.
Kanchory, who served as Raila Odinga’s chief agent during the 2022 presidential election, accused successive governments of weakening electoral accountability. He contrasted the current environment with the 2002 transition, when Kenya witnessed what many considered one of its fairest polls.
“Even Moi, who never claimed to be a democrat, gave Kenyans an independent electoral commission in 2002 — and that was before electoral integrity was constitutionalised in 2010,” he stated.
The former chief agent further questioned the opposition’s belief that President Ruto can be unseated in 2027, given what he described as Kenya Kwanza’s influence over the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
“I still can’t believe people think they can beat Ruto when he controls IEBC,” he added.
Remarks Follow Kenya Kwanza’s Sweep in Recent By-Elections
Kanchory’s comments come in the wake of a series of by-elections where Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and its Kenya Kwanza partners secured decisive victories across multiple regions.
The ruling coalition clinched seats in Mbeere North, Kasipul, Malava, Banisa, Magarini, and the Baringo senatorial contest — a string of wins seen as consolidating its political dominance ahead of the next general election.
Political analysts say the outcome strengthens President Ruto’s re-election prospects, especially amid divisions within the opposition and the absence of a unified strategy.
The clean sweep has emboldened Kenya Kwanza leaders, with several publicly declaring that the 2027 contest is “theirs to lose.”
Debate Over Opposition Readiness for 2027 Intensifies
Kanchory’s blunt assessment has already triggered widespread reactions, with critics accusing him of undermining the opposition by projecting inevitable defeat. Supporters, however, argue that he is sounding a necessary alarm about electoral preparedness and the structural weaknesses within Kenya’s political system.
His intervention adds to a growing national debate over whether the opposition is capable of mounting an effective challenge in 2027 — or whether internal fragmentation, leadership uncertainty, and questions over electoral infrastructure may hand President Ruto a straightforward path to a second term.
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Kanchory Claims Ruto’s Unpopularity Won’t Stop Him From Retaining Power in 2027