Sifuna Leads Nairobi Senatorial Race, Followed by Jalang’o and Ndolo as Race Takes Shape

NAIROBI, Kenya – August 8, 2026 — Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna continues to lead the race for the Nairobi senatorial seat, but the latest opinion research points to a tightening contest, with former Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor Jalang’o and former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo emerging as serious contenders.

The latest Intouch opinion research conducted between August 7 and 8, 2026 places Sifuna at 38 percent, down from 41 percent in the previous month, while Jalang’o comes second at 28 percent, also dropping from 32 percent.

The biggest surprise, however, is Ndolo, who makes his first appearance in the Intouch Nairobi senatorial research with an impressive 26 percent—just two percentage points behind Jalang’o.

The findings come at a potentially important moment for the Nairobi Senate race, with questions also emerging over whether Sifuna will seek to defend the seat or pursue a different political position in the next elections.

Sifuna's Future Could Change the Race

Although Sifuna remains the leading name in the latest research, there is growing speculation that the incumbent senator could eventually opt to pursue a different political position, potentially leaving the Nairobi senatorial contest open for a fresh battle.

Sifuna has in recent months increased his visibility across Kenya and emerged as the de facto leader of the Linda Mwananchi movement, giving him a political platform that extends beyond his current Senate position.

If he ultimately chooses to seek another office rather than defend the Nairobi Senate seat, the dynamics of the race could shift dramatically, with Jalang’o, Ndolo and other prospective candidates expected to intensify their efforts to claim the position.

For now, however, Sifuna remains the man to beat, leading the latest research by 10 percentage points over Jalang’o and 12 points over Ndolo.

Jalang’o Remains Second

Former Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, occupies second place with 28 percent.

His rating has declined by four percentage points from the 32 percent recorded in the previous month, but he remains firmly positioned among the leading contenders.

Jalang’o's profile as a former MP, media personality and political figure continues to give him significant visibility in Nairobi, while his position just two points ahead of Ndolo sets up an increasingly competitive battle for second place.

Ndolo Delivers Major Surprise

The strongest talking point from the latest findings is undoubtedly the performance of Reuben Ndolo.

The former Makadara MP makes his debut in the Intouch senatorial research with 26 percent, putting him almost level with Jalang’o despite not having featured in previous editions of the poll.

Ndolo has also not officially declared his intention to contest the Nairobi Senate seat, at least publicly to the people of Nairobi. His strong debut therefore raises questions about the level of support he could command should he formally enter the race and begin an organised campaign.

Ndolo, a former Makadara MP, and President of the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) remains a recognisable political figure in Nairobi.

His entry into the top three could potentially transform the race from a contest centred around recently established political figures into a much broader battle for the city's Senate seat.

Other Aspirants

Several other politicians have shown interest in the Nairobi senatorial contest, including Johannes Bolo, although the latest research indicates that he is yet to attract any meaningful level of support.

The latest figures therefore present an intriguing picture: Sifuna remains ahead, but his declining rating, uncertainty over his political future and the strong debut by Ndolo could make the Nairobi Senate contest one of the most closely watched races in the capital.

With the election still ahead, the political landscape is expected to evolve as potential candidates make their intentions official, build grassroots networks and begin positioning themselves for the battle.

Latest Intouch Nairobi Senatorial Ratings

The research was conducted by Intouch between August 7 and 8, 2026.

The latest findings suggest that while Sifuna remains the frontrunner, the Nairobi senatorial race is far from settled—and if the incumbent eventually chooses another political path, the battle for Nairobi's Senate seat could become even more unpredictable.