Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has reignited debate over Kenya’s 2027 presidential contest after claiming that a study by unnamed Chinese researchers gives an opposition ticket led by Edwin Sifuna and Kalonzo Musyoka a commanding advantage over President William Ruto.
Speaking at the burial of his late wife, Gloria, in Malinya, Kakamega County, on Friday, August 21, 2026, Khalwale claimed the purported research placed the opposition duo at 68 per cent, compared with 29 per cent for Ruto.
Highlights
- Khalwale claims an unnamed Chinese study favours Sifuna and Kalonzo.
- He put the opposition ticket at 68 per cent in the alleged findings.
- President Ruto was reportedly projected at 29 per cent.
- Khalwale did not name the researchers or institution behind the study.
- The claim comes as opposition leaders continue positioning themselves ahead of 2027.
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Khalwale Makes Bold 2027 Prediction
The 2027 presidential race has gained another talking point after Boni Khalwale made a striking claim about the possible strength of an opposition ticket featuring ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Addressing mourners during the burial of his wife, Gloria, in Malinya, the Kakamega senator said he had come across research that allegedly examined the chances of such a political alliance.
According to Khalwale, the study projected Sifuna as the presidential candidate with Kalonzo serving as his running mate.
Alleged 68 Per Cent Support
Khalwale claimed the purported research gave the Sifuna-Kalonzo combination 68 per cent of the vote, while President William Ruto was placed at 29 per cent.
He stressed that the figures were not his own prediction, attributing them instead to what he described as scholars from China.
The senator also urged Sifuna to remain firm, suggesting that his remarks were intended to demonstrate support for the proposed opposition arrangement.
Study Details Remain Unclear
Despite the confidence with which Khalwale presented the figures, he did not disclose the name of the Chinese researchers or institution allegedly behind the study.
He also did not provide information on when the research was carried out, how many people were surveyed, which areas were covered or what methodology was used.
As of Friday, there was no publicly identified Chinese polling report matching the specific 68 per cent and 29 per cent figures that had been independently verified.
The absence of these details means the figures should be treated as an unverified political claim rather than an established election forecast.
Opposition Ticket Debate
Khalwale’s remarks nonetheless add to the growing conversation over the opposition’s potential presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna, who represents Nairobi County in the Senate, has increasingly featured in political discussions surrounding the future of the opposition, while Kalonzo remains one of the country’s veteran opposition figures.
Whether the two could eventually form a presidential ticket remains uncertain, with Kenya’s political landscape expected to undergo further realignments before the election.
For now, Khalwale’s comments have provided another glimpse into the increasingly competitive race to assemble a coalition capable of challenging the incumbent.
With 2027 already dominating Kenya’s political conversation, one question remains: will the opposition turn its growing alliances into a ticket capable of challenging Ruto?
