{
  "id": 11235571,
  "title": "Waiguru leads Karua in poll on preferred woman deputy president",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/waiguru-leads-karua-in-poll-on-preferred-woman-deputy-president",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T10:44:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/waiguru-leads-karua-in-poll-on-preferred-woman-deputy-president/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has been identified as the preferred choice among respondents for Kenya's first female deputy president, according to a Politrack Africa survey. Waiguru received 36% support, while former Justice Minister Martha Karua came in second with 27% support, and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga trailed with 15%. The survey comes as political parties and potential presidential contenders gear up for the 2027 General Election, where running mates are expected to be a key part of coalition negotiations. Waiguru's nine-point lead over Karua has put the two former political rivals at the forefront of the poll. However, the survey does not confirm whether either would secure a running-mate position in 2027, as these decisions are made by presidential candidates and their respective coalitions. A significant 22% of respondents either declined to identify a preferred candidate, expressed uncertainty, or named another person. Seven percent were unfamiliar with the candidates presented. Waiguru's popularity is consistent with a previous Politrack survey in June, which also ranked her highest when asked which political figure would contribute most to President William Ruto's re-election bid. Waiguru, who has served as Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and was first elected Kirinyaga governor in 2017, has a history of political rivalry with Karua, who served as her running mate in the 2022 presidential election. Wanga, the third-ranked woman in the survey, has recently become Homa Bay governor and is chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement. The poll comes at a time when political attention is shifting towards the Mount Kenya region, which could play a significant role in the 2027 presidential contest.",
  "summary": "Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru leads Martha Karua and Gladys Wanga in a new Politrack Africa survey on preferred candidates for Kenya’s first female deputy president.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Martha Karua leads family in memorial service for late father Jackson Karua",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/martha-karua-leads-family-in-memorial-service-for-late-father-jackson",
        "published": "2026-10-01T15:03:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}