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Saturday, 16 May 2026
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Saturday, 16 May 2026
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Politics

2027 race fragmented; no candidate near 50+1 threshold yet

The News

A TIFA poll shows Kenya's 2027 presidential race is highly competitive and fragmented, with President Ruto leading at 24 per cent, followed by Kalonzo Musyoka at 19 per cent, Fred Matiang'i at 14 per cent, Edwin Sifuna at 10 per cent, and Rigathi Gachagua at 9 per cent, but no candidate currently appears capable of securing the constitutional 50+1 threshold in a first round.

Why it matters

New TIFA poll showing Ruto at 24% with no candidate near 50+1 threshold reshapes the 2027 presidential race outlook.

4 hours ago · The Standard

Politics

  1. 2027 race fragmented; no candidate near 50+1 threshold yet

    A TIFA poll shows Kenya's 2027 presidential race is highly competitive and fragmented, with President Ruto leading at 24 per cent, followed by Kalonzo Musyoka at 19 per cent, Fred Matiang'i at 14 per cent, Edwin Sifuna at 10 per cent, and Rigathi Gachagua at 9 per cent, but no candidate currently appears capable of securing the constitutional 50+1 threshold in a first round.

    4 hours ago · The Standard

  2. President faces electoral challenges amid polling and economic pressures

    An opinion piece examining the President's difficult position in light of recent TIFA polls showing an ominous outlook for the establishment, alongside challenges including fuel cost hikes and a restless population frustrated with unfulfilled promises.

    4 hours ago · The Standard

  3. Critics of Ruto assembling coalition for 2025 election challenge

    Critics of President William Ruto's administration are moving to assemble a coalition aimed at constraining his power and unseating him in next year's General Election, signaling a major political shift in Kenya's political landscape.

    4 hours ago · The Standard

  4. Ruto's push for ICC judge may backfire, analysts warn

    President Ruto has launched a high-profile diplomatic campaign, meeting with Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast leaders this week in Nairobi, to rally support for Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung'u's candidacy for the International Criminal Court bench, but analysts caution the effort could embarrass him.

    4 hours ago · The Standard

  5. Ex-CS Adan Mohamed leads field of seven KRA director candidates

    The Kenya Revenue Authority board is set to interview seven shortlisted candidates to replace outgoing Commissioner Humphrey Wattanga, with former Cabinet Secretary Adan Abdulla Mohamed emerging as the most prominent candidate alongside KRA insiders.

    4 hours ago · The Standard

Mining & Energy

  1. AI growth accelerates Kenya's clean energy transition push

    Schneider Electric's chairperson says Africa must accelerate electrification to support data centres powering AI, and Kenya's renewable energy base positions it strategically to lead the continent's energy and digital transformation. Kenya's installed electricity capacity is over 90 per cent from renewable sources including geothermal, hydro, and wind power.

    4 hours ago · The Standard

World & Region

  1. Train-bus collision kills eight in Bangkok

    A freight train collided with a bus in Bangkok on Saturday, killing at least eight people and injuring 35 others, according to Bangkok police. The collision occurred at a level crossing in a busy downtown intersection; images showed the bus burst into flames on impact.

    5 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  2. One killed in Comoros fuel-price protests and transport strike

    A transport strike and protests in Comoros over fuel price increases — including a 46 percent rise in diesel — turned deadly Saturday when one person died in clashes with police in Mpage, on the island of Anjouan. The unrest stems from rising fuel prices linked to US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

    6 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  3. Israel strikes southern Lebanon despite ceasefire extension

    Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, a day after the two countries extended their truce by 45 days. Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah, but the strikes preceded evacuation warnings for nine villages and prompted a new exodus of residents toward Sidon and Beirut.

    7 hours ago · Citizen Digital

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